Nature Restoration Law
HOW IT CAN BE DONE
On April 27, 2026, we invited to a lively and engaging exchange on "Nature Restoration - How It Can Be Done" from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Ankersaal in Vienna. Farmers, ecological experts, representatives from nature parks, municipalities, and businesses discussed ideas on how they can concretely address habitat restoration in their respective areas and what is needed to achieve this. Representatives from the European Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, the scientific community, an Austrian biodiversity youth organization, and other interesting guests were invited to give a presentation. A long networking lunch ensured an opportunity for personal interaction.
Details: www.renaturierungsgesetz.at
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" Current projects
European innovation partnership for agriculture
Collaboration with the research community and the diary industry
On 20 April 2026, the kick-off event for our new project, ‘Assessment of individual farm-level agri-ecosystem services (AÖSL) to promote dairy farming suited to local conditions and the environment’, took place in Raumberg-Gumpenstein. The aim is to raise public awareness of the important agri-ecosystem services provided by dairy farms and to highlight the importance of agriculture in Austria.
In order to be able to make data-driven statements about the locational and environmental equity of milk production at the individual farm level, a practical, free online tool is to be developed. The aim is to preserve the dairy farming sector, with the services it provides that are essential to society, and to support it through agricultural funding schemes.
Suske Consulting is leading the project, which brings together the Raumberg-Gumpenstein Agricultural Research Centre, the WOERLE dairy farm, several farmers and the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park.
The project will run until March 2029, with support from the federal government, the federal states and the European Union.
Farming for Nature
FARMWALK
During a farm walk in Purbach on Lake Neusiedl, Farming for Nature biodiversity ambassador Birgit Braunstein demonstrated how she runs her vineyard according to biodynamic principles and how nature benefits from this. The walk took place in cooperation with "Natur im Garten Burgenland" exclusively for holders of the "Natur im Garten" plaque. The aim was to bring farmers and gardeners together.
At her farm, Birgit Braunstein demonstrated how she promotes biodiversity and discussed with the participants which of these measures could also be implemented in private gardens, and how domestic gardens can contribute to habitat connectivity.
At the end of the walk, the participants were able to enjoy a delicious glass of wine at the Braunstein family winery, which is over 400 years old.
© E.Wuketich
No catterpillar, no butterfly
LATEST ISSUE OF OUR NEWSPAPER
In the latest issue of our newspaper WIR TUN WAS, as part of the ‘Einfach. Gut.’ project, everything revolves around butterflies: from egg to caterpillar to adult butterfly.
We often only notice butterflies when they are resting on a flower – as adults. But what do the different species need apart from nectar?
Flowers alone are not enough for butterflies to survive. What matters is whether they find the right conditions at every stage of their life cycle. Only when food plants for caterpillars, places of refuge and sources of nectar are available can they successfully complete their journey from egg to butterfly.
Vegetable farmer Alexandra Homburg asks herself, “Is there really room on our farm for every stage of a butterfly’s life cycle?”
To encourage this, she leaves nettles standing for the butterflies. To support the butterflies’ development, elements such as dead wood, old stems left standing, piles of leaves, undisturbed patches of ground or piles of stones – in other words, so-called structures – are important.
The ‘Butterfly Check’ section in the magazine helps you to see whether your garden provides a suitable habitat, e.g. legumes as a food plant for the Common Blue caterpillar.
In addition to the Butterfly Index, the magazine features other food plants for specific species and reports on the ‘Alpflug’ project as a model for alpine pasture management.
© E. Depisch: Old World swallowtail on fennel