On the trail of biodiversity

Updated 27.06.2023

Leutasch invites to Biodiversity Day on 7 and 8 July

On 7 and 8 July, the Seefeld region, the municipality of Leutasch and the Karwendel Nature Park, together with the Province of Tyrol, the University of Innsbruck and the Tyrolean Provincial Museums, are inviting visitors to the Biodiversity Day. for 24 hours, around 80 experts will take a close look at the local flora and fauna. The aim of the event, which has been held annually in Tyrol since 2004, is to systematically document plants and animals and thus make the biodiversity of our homeland tangible.

Biodiversity Day was launched in 1999 by GEO magazine to raise awareness of biodiversity in Central Europe. "When the public thinks of biodiversity, they often only think of the tropical primeval forests, and forget what amazing diversity exists here in our country. We want to change that with our annual field research campaign," says Andreas Jedinger from the Tyrolean organising team. 50.000 researchers have gone into the field for this purpose all over Europe since 1999, observing and recording. In Tyrol, Biodiversity Day took place for the first time in 2004, and since then it has become an integral part of the Year of Naturalists, such as botanists, butterfly researchers and ornithologists.

In Tyrol, nature parks are popular research areas. This year, the Karwendel Nature Park will be the venue for the third time: in 2008, research was carried out in the Isar riverbed from its source to the state border, and in 2011 in the Halltal valley. in 2023, the focus will be on biodiversity in the Leutasch Valley. In 2023, the focus will be on biodiversity in the Leutaschtal valley. Only experts who have registered in advance at www.arten-vielfalt.at will be observing and documenting. However, anyone interested can also come to the field and talk to the researchers - who can be recognised by their campaign T-shirts - or have their work explained to them. In addition, there will be a guided nature excursion on 7 July at 4 p.m., and a night glow in the evening; the meeting place is the Hohe Munde Hall in Weidach. At the night glow, moths are attracted by so-called "light traps" or lighthouses in order to be able to observe them better.

Leutasch is particularly suitable as a research region, as biodiversity has always been a priority here. "The Leutasch valley meadows are indisputably something very special throughout Tyrol," says Anton Heufelder, Managing Director of the Karwendel Nature Park. Around 90% of the local farmers participate in the Austrian Programme for Environmentally Friendly Agriculture and thus undertake to mow only twice a summer, thus preserving and maintaining biodiversity areas

and maintain biodiversity areas. "A diverse species composition and strong connectivity are the basis for a vital ecosystem. That is why we are very happy to support the Biodiversity Day in Leutasch!" Elias Walser, Managing Director of the Seefeld Tourism Association concurs: "We need to raise our awareness of the importance of biodiversity, so I hope that guests and locals take the opportunity to look over the shoulders of the researchers."

If you don't have time to do this on 7 and 8 July, you can find the "Leutascher Wiesenpracht" excursion guided by a nature park guide in the Seefeld region's adventure shop, which can be booked weekly. www. seefeld.com/de/services/leutascher-wiesenpracht.html

Further information on the Day of Biodiversity at: www.arten-vielfalt.at

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