"There is nothing good unless you do it." This guiding principle also applies in particular to the work of protected area management in the Tyrolean nature parks. Recreation in nature has become a megatrend and a challenge that is difficult to manage in many regions (keyword "overtourism"). Innovative solutions combine digital options for visitor guidance (targeted guidance through information) with didactically qualitative nature experience offers and the active presence of well-trained "rangers" in the terrain. While there is a wide range of training programmes for mountain hiking guides and nature guides, this is largely lacking in the increasingly important areas of proactive visitor guidance and practical nature conservation work. But it is precisely in these fields of work that there is an enormously valuable area of activity in Austria's nature parks. Practical nature conservation work in particular offers a great opportunity to integrate local users into protected area work and familiarise them with nature park work.

In order to counteract this deficit, the Tyrolean nature parks intend to develop a practice-orientated ranger training programme under the umbrella of a future nature park academy.

Project period01.04.2024 until 31.03.2026
Project typeNational co-operation project (LAG Innsbruck-Land, LAG Region Imst, LAG Regio Außerfern, LAG RegioL and LAG Regio Schwaz)
Project scope: 81.027,30 €

Lead partner: Karwendel Nature Park