PHOTOS // Austria’s experience in protected areas' management, habitats' restoration studied by specialists of Moldova

Representatives of central and local authorities, protected areas’ administrations, research institutions, the business sector and civil society of Moldova on September 29–30 took part in an experience exchange visit to Austria, focused on habitats’ management and cooperation between national parks and local communities and businesses.

The visit was organized by the EcoContact public association, with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and took place in the Donau-Auen and Neusiedler See–Seewinkel national parks.

The programme included technical presentations, discussions with the administrations of the two national parks and field visits. The participants analyzed Austrian ecosystem’s conservation and restoration practices, as well as the possibilities of adapting them to the conditions and needs of protected areas in  Moldova.

At Donau-Auen National Park, the delegation discussed the park’s organization with its administration and the use of scientific data in decision-making processes related to nature conservation. Another topic addressed was the adaptation of management measures to changes occurring in ecosystems.

The participants also examined how local communities and small and medium-sized enterprises are involved in the park’s activities, as well as environmental education and visitors’ informing practices.

Donau-Auen’s experience in restoring floodplain ecosystems is of interest to Moldova, particularly in the case of habitats along the Dniester and Prut rivers. The practices analyzed included restoring the natural circulation of water and reconnecting the river with its floodplains—measures that could be considered as part of habitats’ restoration interventions.

During the visit to Neusiedler See–Seewinkel National Park, the discussions focused on the management plan, administrative rules and the development of tourism following the park’s establishment. The delegation learned about the activities of information centres and how the park administration cooperates with local residents and businesses in the area.

An example of particular interest to the participants was cooperation between Austria and Hungary in habitats’ conservation and biodiversity monitoring. This provides a model for managing ecosystems that extend beyond the borders of a single country.

The delegation from Moldova included representatives of the Environment Ministry, the Environmental Protection Inspectorate, the Orheiul Vechi Cultural-Natural Reserve, the Codrii Nature Reserve, the Causeni District Council, the Stefan Voda Business Incubator and the Institute of Zoology.

The experience exchange took place within the project, Improving the Management of Protected Areas in Moldova through Institutional Development, Capacity Building and Habitat Rehabilitation. The project is implemented by the public association, Biotica Ecological Society, and EcoContact public association, with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency, within Austria’s International Partnerships.