About the work in the biosphere reserve

The global network of biosphere reserves currently comprises 748 areas in 134 countries. The Galapagos National Park (Ecuador) was defined as a biosphere reserve back in 1985. The reserve was extended in December 2001 to include the surrounding marine reserve.

But there are also biosphere reserves in the Kruger National Park, the Serengeti, the Tatra Mountains and the Sierra Nevada.

Guests to our region are probably familiar with biosphere reserves such as the Berchtesgadener Land, the Rhön or the Schwäbisch Alb in Germany, Maasheggen in the Netherlands or Entlebuch in Switzerland.

In Austria, there are four UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserves: the Große Walsertal, the Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve, the Salzburg Lungau & Carinthian Nockberge Biosphere Reserve and the Lower Murtal Biosphere Reserve are all part of the global network of model regions for sustainable living and management. The latter is part of the Mur-Drau-Danube Biosphere Reserve, which spans five countries.

The fields of activity are varied and extensive and are based on the tasks that UNESCO sets for biosphere reserves: Nature conservation, sustainable regional development, environmental education and research as well as cultural preservation.

The employees participate in regional, national and international networks. The biosphere reserve manager is also the link to the MAB National Committee. This is because all biosphere parks worldwide are based on the MAB (Man and the Biosphere) program. This was founded in 1971 and is the first intergovernmental environmental program that serves to research human-environment relationships and also examines the compatibility of ecology, economy and social issues in addition to questions of pure environmental protection.

The work with the people in the biosphere reserve is particularly rewarding.

For example, we are in close contact with teachers in kindergartens, elementary school and secondary schools. With the interdisciplinary concept of the biosphere park school, we reach children and young people from three to 14 years of age.

With the new edition of the Biosphere Park Partner Businesses project, we will work together with businesses in the valley across all sectors. The criteria are based on the SDGs and apply to all biosphere reserves in Austria.

We are happy to provide further project insights on the biosphere reserve website www.grosseswalsertal.at.

• When enjoying local products that are creatively and innovatively refined in the restaurants of the biosphere park partner businesses as well as when biting into a piece of alpine cheese.
• Hiking through the cultural landscape all year round, especially on the region's themed trails. Especially in spring and early summer when the orchids in the biosphere park core zones and the plant diversity on the species-rich rough pastures are in bloom.
• In addition, the diverse range of products that can be presented in the biosphärenpark.haus store is a reflection of the indispensable preservation of the cultural landscape.