In 2021, ALPARC is fortunate to count 2 new Austrian members: The Nature Park Mürzer Oberland and The Nature Park Weissbach.
In the north-east of Styria, surrounded by the mountain peaks of Rax, Schneealpe and Veitsch, lies the Mürzer Oberland. Extensive forests, alpine pastures and also limestone mountains characterize this cultural landscape along the upper Mürz Valley. The River Mürz rises from two springs north of the Schneealpe, flows to the southeast and leaves the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park last near Mürzzuschlag. The park has the particularity to count diverse cultural landscapes. Historically dominated by the iron industry, mining and forestry, today the region is committed to sustainable tourism, with forestry still playing an important role. The park management focuses on various leading themes such as: forest, hunting and forestry, spring water protection, biodiversity and climate change, and other key topics alpine farming.
Naturpark Weißbach, again ALPARC member, has a new director: Sandra Uschnig. She presents shortly the park and her upcoming projects:
“Hello, my Name is Sandra Uschnig and I am the new CEO of the Naturpark Weißbach, in the federal state Salzburg in Austria. Founded in 2007 the Park is area is about 28 km2 and is characterized through different valuable biotopes, mountain streams and ravines as well as alpine pastures and rugged limestone rocks. The Naturpark is embedded in the Austrian Limestone Alps and provides a home for rare animals and plants (like the parnassius apollo, lilium martagon or Cypripedium calceolus).
This year will be dedicated to the evaluation and actualization of the established resources. We are planning to do some projects regarding young people like the Youth at the Top event of Alparc or the mountain forest project. Furthermore, we conduct environmental education through our summer programme consisting of different events and guided tours (like the golden eagle tour or the alp experience tour). Visit us on facebook ‘Naturpark Weißbach’ or Instagram ‘naturpark_weissbach’.”
We are pleased to warmly welcome these two protected areas as ALPARC members and we are looking forward to work together. Totalizing now 50 members representing 61 protected areas across the 8 Alpine Countries, ALPARC aims to foster synergy between Alpine Protected Areas.
Picture: Nature Park Mürzer Oberland - Wandern Falkensteinalm © nixxipixx.com-43
