Plateau Pioneers

Almputz

Last Thursday, our sustainability coordinator Michaela Kraler and the Plateau Pioneers were again together with the nature park director Anton Heufelder at the Almputz on the Kastenalm in the Hinteraurtal. As part of the 'Nature Conservation Plan on the Alm', overhanging branches of mountain pine were trimmed and emerging young spruces were cleared. Additionally, the group gathered scattered branches and larger stones into piles. The aim of these measures is to preserve the structurally rich mosaic of limestone poor grass, mountain pine bushes, and light canopy. This interplay not only creates the charm of the alpine landscape in the Karwendel but also its health.

Heart Donation

Just in time for the start of the season, the Plateau Pioneers' fundraising campaign for Arche Herzensbrücken begins. Physical donation boxes and informational materials are available in every Pioneer establishment. Additionally, there is the option to make an online donation at www.herzensbruecken.at/spenden-helfen/spendenaktion/. Just click on the Plateau Pioneers' campaign and leave a few euros for shining children's eyes and happy hearts.

Light for the Wetland

On December 3, the Plateau Pioneers provided more light in the wetland behind the Leutascher Music Pavilion once again. Under ideal nature conservation conditions – frozen ground and a thin layer of snow – they cleared an area previously coordinated with the forest supervisor of all shrubs and trees. In the medium term, this is expected to lead to a recovery and revitalization of the wetland vegetation – as can be well recognized in old orthophotos. This three-year nature conservation project is accompanied by biodiversity expert Hermann Sonntag.

Light for Biodiversity

Last week, the Plateau Pioneers brought light into the reeds behind the Leutascher Music Pavilion as part of a three-year conservation project. Reeds are generally an important component of wetlands, but here they began to overshadow other plant species. Therefore, areas on the left and right of the path were cleared again under the professional guidance of conservation and biodiversity experts Hermann Sonntag. This created new water surfaces, and the surrounding soil received more light. The first "guests" after the work was done were numerous dragonflies that immediately used the new egg-laying sites.

Joint nature conservation project of the Plateau Pioneers

Last week, the Plateau Pioneers undertook their first joint nature conservation project in the Hinterautal. The Karwendel Nature Park once again acted as a pioneer and partner. After a theoretical introduction, the pioneers assisted in clearing the areas of the Kastenalm. The active work against the encroachment of dominant and fast-growing species like spruces and dwarf pines makes a valuable contribution to the preservation of our alpine cultural landscape and its pronounced biodiversity.

Deadwood hedge for biodiversity

Deadwood stocks are a source of life and biodiversity. With this knowledge, Plateau pioneer Markus Daschil and the fishermen of the Kaiser Maximilian association, led by Sepp Kneissl, came together to establish a 30-meter long deadwood hedge on the northern shore of Wildsee, which will be extended by another 15 meters in the spring. The deadwood comes from the surrounding shore region and now provides nesting and living space for native birds, hedgehogs, and insects.

The Book Cabin at the Fiaker Stand: An Example of Circular Economy in Public Space

Since 2020, there has been the Book Cabin at the Fiaker Stand in Seefeld, a project by our Plateau Pioneers Verena and Toni Hiltpolt. An old telephone booth has been repurposed and equipped with shelves to serve as a publicly accessible library. Under the motto 'Take 1, Read 1, Bring 1', the cabin is regularly stocked with current literature, games, learning materials, picture books, and guides – free of charge, educational, meaningful, and integrative. Thus, the Book Cabin is a practical example of circular economy: old materials obtain a new function while simultaneously creating a place of knowledge and exchange. The project promotes not only the environment but also community and access to education.

Environmental construction site at Möslalm in the Karwendel Nature Park

In July 2024, twelve young volunteers from Austria, Germany, Ireland, and Spain dedicated themselves at the Möslalm in the Karwendel Nature Park to the preservation of the alpine pastures. Led by our Plateau Pioneer, the Karwendel Nature Park, they made valuable contributions as part of the "Nature Conservation Plan Alpine Pastures" project to protect the grazing areas in the adjacent Samertal from overgrowth and stone encroachment. Despite changing weather conditions, the participants demonstrated great commitment and team spirit – a strong sign of active nature conservation and the preservation of valuable habitats!