Question 1

Messages and communication

Accepted Answer

Created as part of an EAFRD project

A small brochure designed as a notebook provides practical tips for developing and conveying messages. It also contains recommendations for dealing with specific situations that can occur during lectures, guided tours and excursions.

Question 2

Nature impact study

Accepted Answer

Client: ASFINAG Autobahnen- und Schnellstrassenfinanz-Aktiengesellschaft, APG Austrian Power Grid AG, ÖBB-Infrastructure AG

The assessment of interventions in Natura 2000 areas and protected assets protected under Union law is regulated by the Habitats Directive and interpreted by ECJ rulings and practical guidelines from the European Commission. However, there are still many “grey areas” for both specialist contributors and experts when it comes to defining criteria or relevance thresholds for the impairment of a Natura 2000 area. This study now specifies the technical and legal framework of the nature impact assessment. According to Article 6 Para. 3 of the Habitats Directive, the core element of the review is the conservation objectives of the protected area. It provides assistance on how the conservation objectives of an area can be comprehensibly derived and examined from the respective conservation status of the protected objects and under what conditions positive and negative effects of a project on the protected area can be taken into account in the course of a procedure.

suske consulting self-published the study. As part of the study, Wolfgang Suske worked with the experts Thomas Ellmauer and Werner Holzinger as well as with numerous other experts from the technical and legal field of nature conservation.

Question 3

NATURA 2000 and species protection. Recommendations for planning practice when building transport infrastructure

Accepted Answer

Client: ASFINAG Bau Management GmbH Vienna

In what is now the 3rd edition of this guide, all planning-relevant topics relating to Natura 2000 and species protection are explained in more detail, references are made to specific applications in planning cases and references are made to the Habitats and Birds Directives as well as to ECJ rulings. This guide also contains the original text of the two directives, as well as the relevant appendices. What is also unique is the summary of important ECJ rulings, which are sorted by topic as well as by year of publication.

Question 4

Dialogue in nature conservation

Accepted Answer

Client: topic: nature

Nature conservation, in its entirety, is one of society's most emotive public interests. Nature conservationists' concerns fall on deaf ears. At the same time, farmers, hunters and project promoters feel betrayed by nature conservation. The result is a conflict-laden emotionality between both fronts that has existed for decades. But the dialogue between the different stakeholders plays a crucial role in the constructive and positive further development of nature conservation work.
In his book “Dialogue in Nature Conservation”, Wolfgang Suske, moderator and communication expert, deals with the requirements, framework conditions and the successful implementation of enriching dialogues in nature conservation. Among other things, it provides assistance with resolving an ongoing conflict and explains when dialogue becomes pointless.
The book was created as part of the Dialoggruppe Steiermark project.

Question 5

Small First Aid Guide for Protected Area Managers (2007)

Accepted Answer

Client: Salzburg State Government 
The funding manual offers administrative officials in the various areas - even without extensive prior knowledge - an efficient way of identifying the different funding pots for nature conservation measures.

Question 6

Views of others

Accepted Answer

Client: Umweltdachverband
In a one-day seminar various professional groups - farmers, public servants, representatives of NGOs, foresters - developed their views on conflicting topics. Quick artists created drawings in real time that humorously illustrated the characteristics of the others and cleared up misunderstandings. At the same time, the different perceptions of landscape were also shown. During the seminar criticism of other people's opinions is not possible; everyone had to accept the other's point of view that day and got to know new sides in the process.

Question 7

Old farmer's calendar

Accepted Answer

Client: State of Carinthia, Nature Conservation Department

The old farmers' calendar, supported by the state of Carinthia and the EU, presents seven old farmers. They talk about a working world that seems far away, but is now becoming relevant again. “The work used to be very strenuous,” says 94-year-old Maria Stingler, describing her youth, “but so many people worked together. And we had fun doing it." Helping together in a similar way is now taking place in some protected areas where volunteers work together to maintain sensitive habitats and have a lot of fun doing it.
The calendar comes without specific dates and can therefore be used again every year.

Question 8

Management plan Neusiedler See - Northeast Leitha Mountains

Accepted Answer

Client: BERTA

The management plan is intended to support authorities, area managers and decision-makers in quickly identifying and comprehensibly communicating the need for action in the protected area. As part of the creation of the management plan "European Protected Area Neusiedler See - Northeastern Leitha Mountains", all data relevant to planning (all habitat types according to Annex I and species according to Annex II of the Habitats Directive as well as the bird species of Annex I of the Bird Protection Directive) were researched. Current uses of the space were then analyzed, cross-relationships to the protected objects were worked out and the state of preservation was presented. Throughout the entire duration of the project, stakeholders and other affected interest groups were given the opportunity to actively participate in the creation of the management plan. With these principles, conservation and development goals were developed for 19 sub-areas, which form the basis for the necessary management measures to ensure or restore a favorable conservation status of the Natura 2000 area.

Please request the management plan in high resolution at office(at)suske.at.

Question 9

Mattersburg Hill Country Management Plan

Accepted Answer

Client: BERTA

A comprehensive management plan was established for the “Mattersburger Hügelland”. Current uses of the space were analyzed, cross-relationships with the protected objects were identified and their state of preservation was presented. Throughout the entire duration of the project, stakeholders and other affected interest groups were given the opportunity to actively participate in the creation of the management plan.

Please request the management plan in high resolution at office(at)suske.at.

Question 10

Natura 2000 & Economy

Accepted Answer

Client: Umweltdachverband

The study was able to demonstrate using concrete data that the designation of Natura 2000 areas, which are naturally located in peripheral and rural regions, generally leads to neither noticeable positive nor significant negative regional and regional economic effects.

Question 11

Why it pays off - nature conservation on the farm

Accepted Answer

Client: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Section II: Sustainability and Rural Areas

In this brochure we introduce you to nine companies that show in a vivid way that nature conservation pays off - for nature, for the company, for consumers.

Question 12

Landscape elements - why?

Accepted Answer

Client: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Section II: Sustainability and Rural Areas

With this brochure we want to enrich your knowledge about the many ecological functions of landscape elements.

Question 13

Planting and care instructions for fruit trees

Accepted Answer

Client: Obst-Hügel-Land Nature Park

With this brochure we give you tips about your new fruit tree.

Question 14

“My favorite place”

Accepted Answer

Client: Office of the Carinthian State Government, State Planning Department

An exhibition about Carinthian farmers in their favorite place in nature.

Question 15

Funding manual. The most important facts about nature conservation-related EU funding

Accepted Answer

Client: Office of the Salzburg state government

With this funding manual, administrative officials in the nature conservation department can efficiently determine the right funding sources, even without extensive prior knowledge.

Question 16

NATURA 2000. successful – flexible – modern. Facts and findings.

Accepted Answer

Client: WWF Germany