AgriNatur AT-HU - Organic farming in nature reserves

The City of Vienna's Municipal Department for Climate, Forestry and Agriculture (MA 49), the Széchenyi István University of Hungary and Bioforschung Austria recently aimed to gain new insights into the impact of organic farming on the biodiversity in nature reserves.

During the two-year EU project, called "AgriNatur AT-HU", the three institutions monitored wildlife animals, such as bees, butterflies and birds on organic farms and the outskirts of the Danube-Auen National Park in Austria and the Mosoni Danube region in Hungary. The collected research data was used in various expert workshops, which sought to develop the AgriNatur strategy and help strengthen the synergies between environmental protection and organic agriculture.

Educational trails and areas were constructed for visitors in both Hungary and Austria, aimed at increasing awareness for the importance of biodiversity in agriculture. Vienna's educational trail starts at the Danube-Auen National Park's entrance at Saltenstraße. The trail makes its way through the New Lobau along the new educational destinations called "Felder der Vielfalt" ("Fields of Diversity"). Along the path, visitors will find visual elements and information panels on agrobiodiversity. Along the trail, visitors will also find numerous possibilities to rest their feet, equipped with picnic tables and benches, but also playground elements for younger visitors.