Research projects

    Nature conservation award “The Stinging Nettle” for HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

    Mayer Renate, DI

    DI Renate Mayer

    Acquisition
    Starz Walter, Dr.

    Dr. Walter Starz

    Organic grassland and agriculture

    Renate Mayer, Claudia Plank and Walter Starz from the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein are winners of Austria's largest nature conservation award “The Stinging Nettle - Nature Conservation is a great Wies´n”. The award was given to the project “Recultivation of iris meadows for biodiversity and sustainable ecological agriculture”.

    Iris meadows, with the Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) and their large variety of rare plant and animal species, are a trademark for the Styrian Ennstal. The preservation of these valuable habitats, some of which are no longer cultivated, are becoming overgrown or are being converted into arable land, is very important to us. A renaturation project is therefore being implemented on around four hectares of land, which will restore, protect and increase the diversity of species and habitats, serve as a buffer for flood protection and raise awareness of sustainable ecological agriculture.

    With an adapted management method and care, with the participation of land managers in the area, the mountain and nature rescue service, the nature conservation association, schools and the communities of Irdning-Donnersbachtal and Stainach-Pürgg, the surrounding meadows are also preserved and improved. The mown material is used as bedding for farm animals.

    The “Stinging Nettle” nature conservation award was awarded for the first time in 2018 as part of the Blooming Austria initiative*) run by REWE International AG. Of the 200 projects submitted, 28 project applicants were able to convince the jury members with their ideas for preserving and protecting habitat and species diversity. The prize was originally endowed with 100,000 euros, but due to the quality and number of submissions the sum was increased to 200,000 euros to preserve our biodiversity.

    Representing the implementing actors in the region, Renate Mayer and Claudia Plank from the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein as well as Renate Stadler, local branch manager of the mountain and nature rescue service in Stainach-Pürgg, were able to accept the coveted award on January 25, 2018 in Wiener Neudorf. Students from the 4a class from Raumberg-Gumpenstein with teacher Franz Luidold, comrades from the mountain and nature rescue service and Gerhard Schmiedhofer from the Nature Conservation Association, Ennstal-Ausseerland district office also took part in the successful celebration as the winning group.

    From now on, the communities of Irdning-Donnersbachtal and Stainach Pürgg are working together diligently to ensure that the iris meadows at the foot of the Grimming can spread again.
    The project will be presented at this year's meadow breakfast and nature experience on the Trautenfels nature conservation association areas and Moarhof meadows on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

    *) Blooming Austria is the largest private sector sustainability initiative for nature and biodiversity protection in Austria. With the Blooming Austria initiative, REWE International AG is pursuing a clear, long-term goal: together with the bird protection organization BirdLife Austria, the country should become even greener, more diverse, more species-rich, and more livable. Blooming Austria supports the preservation and development of threatened ecologically valuable habitats as well as nature education projects.

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    Recultivation of Iris Sibirica meadows for biodiversity and sustainable organic agriculture

    Mayer Renate (2018 - 2020)