Landscapes Full of Life
Joining forces for biodiversity!
As part of the “Landscapes Full of Life” project, eleven nature parks from six federal states, together with the Association of Austrian Nature Parks, are pooling their efforts and the strength of their network to protect biodiversity. Together, we are implementing 15 initiatives aimed at protecting endangered species and their habitats, as well as restoring damaged ecosystems. Across a total of 62 project sites covering 71 hectares, biodiversity benefits directly from the nature parks’ commitment. A special focus of the project lies in promoting habitat connectivity. The Leiser Berge Nature Park also contributes its strengths to this shared mission to protect our natural heritage.
The Leiser Berge Nature Park is committed to preserving and promoting regional biodiversity through three key actions as part of the project “Landscapes Full of Life”:
- Pollarding willows to protect deadwood species and cavity-nesting birds
Pollarded willows are characteristic landscape features of the Weinviertel region. Their hollow trunks provide valuable habitats for many animal species, such as the little owl and various insects. Regular cutting encourages the trees’ vitality and helps preserve their ecological function. In the Leiser Berge Nature Park, this tradition is actively continued: new willows are planted along streams, and existing pollarded willows are regularly maintained.
- Planting summer linden trees to protect the hermit beetle
The historic linden tree avenue in Ladendorf—home to trees up to 300 years old—is a natural monument of regional importance. Through targeted maintenance and replanting measures, old trees are preserved and dead ones are replaced with young summer lindens. These trees help stabilize the avenue in the long term and maintain its role as a vital habitat for many animal species, including the rare hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita).
- Grazing dry grasslands in the Steinbacher Heide
Dry grasslands are species-rich and ecologically important habitats, but they are increasingly threatened by overgrowth and a lack of proper management. As part of the “Landscapes Full of Life” project, the Steinbacher Heide is grazed by sheep to maintain open landscapes and support biodiversity.
This targeted action complements the ongoing conservation efforts in the Leiser Berge Nature Park. Through the Wilde Weiden (Wild Pastures) project, additional dry grassland areas—such as those on the Buschberg and Schulberg—are managed in a near-natural way. Together, these initiatives contribute to the long-term preservation of these unique habitats.
Supported by the Biodiversity Fund, financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU and the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.
