Nature Restoration Law
HOW IT CAN BE DONE
On April 27, 2026, we invite you 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 will discuss 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, youth organizations, and other interesting guests are invited to give a presentation. A long networking lunch will ensure ample opportunity for personal interaction.
The detailed program will be published shortly.
Details: www.renaturierungsgesetz.at
" Current projects
Farming for Nature
BIODIVERSITY AMBASSADORS SHOW EXAMPLES FROM THEIR PRACTICE
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Why is milk from extensive farming good for cows, nature, and people?
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How can you raise pigs and simultaneously make the soil buzz with life?
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Cut flowers from Austria: what difference does that make for nature and the climate?
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What does nature restoration look like in practice?
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Why can you taste biodiversity in wine?
Answers to these and other questions about sustainable agriculture were discussed with the 2025 Biodiversity Ambassadors at the Farming for Nature evening event on November 24th in Vienna.
There were also short presentations by Andreas Jäger (meteorologist and climate activist), Andrea Wagner (Vice President of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture), and Günther Mayerl (Green Care), as well as live music.
Click HERE to watch the recording of the event.
c Robert Harson
FarmBioNet
NETWORK FOR AGRICULTURE AND BIODIVERSITY
The Farmer-focussed Biodiversity and agricultural knowledge Network (FarmBioNet) project was launched in January 2025. The project, led by Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.
The aim of FarmBioNet is to identify biodiversity-friendly farming practices and help farmers create habitats that provide food, security and protection for biodiversity on their farms.
Under the leadership of Suske Consulting, national agriculture and biodiversity networks will be established, composed of farmers, foresters, researchers, NGOs, consultants and other relevant actors of the agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS). FarmBioNet will use these national networks to collect and disseminate knowledge and information.
Landscape Management & Nature Conservation
FEASABILITY STUDY
Despite all conservation efforts, the extensive management of ecologically valuable grassland areas in Styria is declining significantly. Reasons for this include the difficulty of cultivating these areas and the decrease in cattle farming. Without a viable use for grass and hay, more and more extensive meadows and pastures are becoming overgrown with shrubs.
To effectively counter this trend, we will conduct a feasibility study to examine how such areas can be secured in the future, what organizational units are needed, and what role farmers play.
As a first step, we analyzed the current situation of extensive grassland in Styria in a kick-off meeting, bilateral discussions, and with the help of data analysis. In the first workshop in early 2026, representatives from the nature conservation department, Styrian nature parks, the Chamber of Agriculture, district construction offices, and municipalities discussed initial ideas and examples from other regions. Two online meetings will involve additional interested parties, and the two final workshops will focus on developing concrete solutions.