Potential and chances of the Biosphere Reserve Lungau
Last week the Biosphere Reserve Lungau, home of the main office of the European Wilderness Society, organised the kick-off event of their ECHT.SEIN. campaign (being real). The day of interesting talks and workshops ended with an open discussion and the awarding of the ECHT.SEIN-certificates to member businesses. The campaign is part of the Interreg Europe project CEETO where the Biosphere Reserve Lungau is a partner.
Please also read: Biosphere Reserve Lungau: The home of the European Wilderness Society
Humans and the Ecosystem
Five talks discussed the potentials and chances of the Lungau, in particular for sustainable nature tourism. Dr Bernd Lötsch, former general director of the Natural History museum of Vienna, took a closer look on the question if humans can develop a global biospheric awareness. His focus lay on the concept of biosphere reserves as an action plan for ecological balance. Eva Brucker of the University of Applied Sciences Salzburg talked about the tense interplay of the ecological, economical and social interests in sustainable tourism. Ulrike Köstler, head of the board of the Fourm Via Sanitas, presented the healing powers of nature and how to consciously experience them.
The talk of Mag. Andreas Thomasser, expert and advisor on nature protection of the government of Salzburg, dealt with the natural and cultural potentials and chances of the Lungau and how the Biosphere Reserve can sustainably use them for becoming a model region of sustainable development. Mag. Dr. Hubert Stock, representative of RespekTiere deine Grenzen and the wolf in Salzburg, discussed conflicts of economic and recreational uses. He also mentioned the comeback of the wolf to the province of Salzburg and the steps the local government is currently taking in increasing herd protection. The European Wilderness Society is actively involved in this protection.
Guiding visitors and sustainable touristic offers
The afternoon was formed by two workshops. One about the touristic development of the Biosphere Reserve with a special focus on visitor guidance. The second workshop dealt with the possibilities and chances of developing touristic offers. The experts who talked in the morning guided these two workshops. Open and critical discussions lead to promising conclusions. The Biosphere Reserve will use the outcomes of this day for their next management plan.
