DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0 PROJECT REPORT 2012 – 2014€¦ · DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0 PROJECT REPORT 2012...

DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0 PROJECTREPORT 2012–2014

1 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

11 Kopački rit Nature Park

2 Lower Prut Nature Reserve

8 Iron Gates Natural Park

4 Small Wetlands of Braila

9 D– erdap National Park

14 Duna-Ipoly National Park

5 Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Site

10 Lonjsko Polje Nature Park

15 Fertö-Hánsag National Park

3 Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park

12 Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve 13 Duna-Dráva National Park 16 Dunajské Luhy Protected Landscape Area

17 Záhorie Protected Landscape Area 19 Narrow Valley of the Danube in Passau district 20 Donauauwald Neuburg-Ingolstadt18 Donau-Auen National Park

7 Persina Nature Park6 Rusenski Lom Nature Park

2c/o Donau-Auen National Park Schloss Orth, 2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria Project Manager: Georg Frank Phone: +43/2212/3450-28, Fax: +43/2212/3450-17 [email protected] www.danubeparks.org

Photos: Baumgartner, Bosnar, BROZ, Bucevic, Buchner, Costea, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, Direktor, Donau-Auen National Park, Duna-Dráva National Park, Duna-Ipoly National Park, EU Strategy for the Danube Region, Fehrer, Frank, Frötscher, Goriup, Ionita, Ivanov, Kalotas, Kern, Koev, Koritar, Kovacs, Kreinz, Kutsarov, Manzano, Morocz, Nature Park Obere Donau, Pap, Parrag, Persina Nature Park, Popp, Roland, Schmidt, Schneider, Wagner, Weixelbraun, Wosch

Layout: Michael Kalb, www.michaelkalb.at Printed by Druckerei Janetschek Print run of 8,000. © August 2014. Produced using environmentally-friendly technologies and materials. Errors and omissions excepted.

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The DANUBEPARKS

Network

The Danube River hosts immense naturalvalues. Protected Areas are responsible forthe conservation of biodiversity hotspots alongthe river. Since the accession of many Danubecountries to the EU in 2004 and 2007, they notonlysharethesamechallenges:EUlegislationlikethe Fauna-Flora Habitat Directive and strategieslike theEUStrategy for theDanubeRegionnowformacommon framework fornatureprotectionintheregion.ThenaturaltreasuresoftheDanubeare interlinked all along the river. Nature doesnot recognize state borders – therefore, natureprotectionneedstoworkacrossborderstoo!Thecornerstone for transnational cooperation in theProtectedAreasalongtheDanubewaslaidin2007inTulcea.Through thesigningof theDeclarationofViennain2009,DANUBEPARKS–theDanubeRiverNetworkofProtectedAreas–wasofficially

founded. Since then, much has been achieved.Robust and amicable cooperation has arisenwithin the framework of two ETC-SEE projects.Exchangeofexperienceandknow-howhasledtocoordinatedstrategies for select issues innatureconservation, with Danube-wide monitoring, jointpublicrelations,andpilotprojectsoftransnationalsignificanceontheagenda.

Integrative approachDANUBEPARKShasbecomeawidelyrecognizednatureconservationnetwork. Internationalbodiessuchas the ICPDR(InternationalCommission forthe Protection of the Danube River) are amongour permanent partners, and the EUSDR (EUStrategy for the Danube Region) has labelledDANUBEPARKS as “flagship project”. Economicsectors on the river also play an important role.CooperationwithNEWADADuo, theNetworkofDanube Waterway Administrations, with forestrycompanies of the Danube countries, as well

as the tourism industry through DCC (DanubeCompetence Centre), is a daily matter. In thisway,weworktowardsintegrativeandsustainabledevelopmentalongourcommonriver.Thegrowthofthenetworkitselfisproofofoursuccess:inthepast 7 years, the original 8 founders have beenjoinedby12others.DANUBEPARKSnowboasts20ProtectedAreasin9countries.

DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0Our second joint project, DANUBEPARKSSTEP 2.0, again involves topics of transnationalrelevance:

•ProtectionofBlackPoplarandWhite-tailedEagleasflagshipspecies

•Preservation and restoration of natural riverdynamics

•Improvement of nature tourism andenvironmentaleducationoffers

•Organisationaldevelopment

EU-funding programme: European Territorial Cooperation in South East Europe (ETC-SEE)

Project Title: DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0

Term: October 2012 – September 2014

Project budget: EUR 2.2 million

Partnership: 14 project partners, 17 observers E

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Kick-off conference (October 2012, Neuburg/Germany)

DANUBEPARKS – flagship project of the EUSDR Danube Protected Areas - all in one boat

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Strengthening Long-term Cooperation

Institutionalization ProcessDANUBEPARKShasbecomeaplatformfor livelycooperation among theDanubeProtectedAreas.

Theexchangeofexperiencehasledtoexpandedhorizonsona local level.Danube-widestrategiesare drafted, and concrete protective measureshave been implemented. Yet there is still muchtobedone.For this reason, theDANUBEPARKSassociation was founded in September 2014. Infuture, the association will be the voice of theDanube Protected Areas, promoting our agendain the political arena and constituting an ongoingframeworkforcooperationtoexpandourproject-basedcollaboration.InthiswaywecanensurethatDANUBEPARKS will continue to have a positiveimpactonsustainabledevelopmentintheDanuberegion.

Forward Looking Organisational Development In our reflections on the organisation ofDANUBEPARKS, we have also taken a closerlook at the individual administrations of theProtected Areas. We evaluated topics like tasks

and functions, public responsibilities, economicactivities and funding of administrations,and property ownership issues. The analysisof the advantages and disadvantages ofvarious structures should support ProtectedArea administrators in future organisationaltransformations.Wecanlearnsomuchfromoneanother–notonlyaboutnatureconservation,butaboutorganisationaldevelopmentaswell!

“The Danube is our joint international natural heritage. We all share the responsibility for its protection. As it passes ten countries, transnational cooperation is needed for wise river management.

The Austrian Federal Ministry welcomes the coordinating role of the Donau-Auen National Park for DANUBEPARKS and supports the initiatives for the long-term anchoring of the Danube River Network of Protected Areas.“

Andrä Rupprechter, Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment

and Water Management, Austria

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• Founding of the DANUBEPARKS Association

• Project Managers Trainings on Presentation, Moderation, Leadership, EU Funding and Applications, and EU Policy Work

• Study on organisational structures of Protected Area Administrations

• Directors´ workshop on organisational development

• DANUBEPARKS Enlargement Strategy

• Integration of 5 new Protected Areas into the Network

• Intense collaboration with ICPDR and EUSDR

• Meetings with EU Parliament and EU Commission

• Exchange of experience with the Alpine and Carpathian Networks of Protected Areas

• Exchange of experience with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

• Leading the ETC-SEE capitalization process for nature protection projects

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DANUBEPARKS meeting at the EU Commission

Enriching diversity in the partnership, reflected by diverse Protected Areas´ headquarters

Headquarter Persina Nature Park

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New Partners on Board!

Enlargement of the Network Activeanddedicatedpartnersare the foundationof successful cooperation in theDANUBEPARKSnetwork. Following the development of anexpansion strategy for the network, several newpartnershavejoined.

Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park, Romania:themeanderingflowoftheLowerPrutRiverisanimportantnaturalheritageonthePruttributary,thelastbeforetheDanubeDelta.Thisparktookpartinthe Danube-wide monitoring of indicator speciesandjoinedthenetworkinSeptember2013.

Lower Prut Nature Reserve, Moldova: locatedon the Moldovan side, this reserve was createdtoprotecttheriveraswellasLakeBeleu,whosewater levels are dependent on the Prut and theDanube.Having joinedthenetwork inMay2013,thisreserveparticipatedintheDanube-widewintercountoftheWhite-tailedEagle.

Small Wetlands of Braila, Romania: justbeforethe final bend of the Danube towards the east,the river branches out into several arms whichembrace the expansive and wild Braila Islands.This partner supported the development offollow-up projects and joined the network inSeptember2013.

Iron Gates Natural Park, Romania: at the IronGates, where the Danube parts the Carpathians,this park protects the Romanian side of theDanube.Havingparticipatedinseveralworkshopsduring the project, it joined the network inSeptember2013.

Narrow Valley of the Danube in Passau district, Germany: the regional government ofPassau protects and manages river habitats andislands together with the slope forests and drymeadows along the Danube. Having supportedtheenvironmentaleducationassessmenttour,theProtectedAreajoinedthenetworkinAugust2014.

Narrow Valley of the Danube in Passau district

Small Wetlands of Braila

“The last years´ intensive and fruitful cooperation within DANUBEPARKS resulted in a strong and trustworthy partnership. Danube Protected Areas differ in protection status, organizational structures and morphological frame conditions, but share common challenges and visions. Representing the Upper, Middle and Lower Danube, we express commitment to further intensify our cooperation for our joint Danube natural heritage and to integrate all relevant Protected Areas at our joint river.“

Eszter Buchert, Grigore Baboianu, Carl Manzano, DANUBEPARKS Spokespersons

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Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park

Lower Prut Nature Reserve Iron Gates Natural Park

DANUBEPARKS ENLARGEMENT STRATEGYAuthor: Georg Frank

1 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve 10 Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve


11 Duna-Dráva National Park

3 Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park 12 Duna-Ipoly National Park



5 Rusenski Lom Nature Park

14 Dunajské Luhy Protected Landscape Area

6 Persina Nature Park

15 Záhorie Protected Landscape Area


16 Donau-Auen National Park


17 Donauauwald Neuburg- Ingolstadt


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River Dynamics

The Beating Heart of a Riverine Ecosystem The only constant in a riverine ecosystem ischange. Rising and falling water levels andthe permanent shift of sand and gravel arecharacteristic of natural rivers, allowing theemergence of steep banks or sand and gravelislands which come and go. Home to a varietyof native flora and fauna, thesevital ecosystemshavebeenbroughttothebrinkofextinctionacrossEurope by intervention in the form of damming,straighteningandriverregulation.DANUBEPARKSputstheprotectionofriverdynamicsattheheartofourwork,becausethisistheonlywaytoensurethe long-term preservation of a biodiverse andvitalriverineenvironment.LittleRingedPloverandSandMartinare ideal indicatorsofan intact rivermorphology. In 2011 they were the subject of aDanube-wide monitoring project which has nowbeenexpandedtoincludetheDrava,SavaandPruttributaries.

Joint Danube SurveyIn 2013 this study was repeated as part of theICPDR Joint Danube Survey, which investigateswater quality, chemical substances, fishpopulation, and many other areas. Our indicatorspecies ultimately helped focus attentionon morphological changes. DANUBEPARKSmonitoring confirms that only those sections ofthe Danube which are only slightly modified aresuitablehabitatsforcharacteristicanimalspecies.Cooperation within the framework of the ICPDRJoint Danube Survey should lead to enhancedawarenessonapolitical level for thesignificanceofriverdynamicsandtheneedforprotectionandrestoration.

“The ICPDR’s Joint Danube Survey or JDS3 was the world´s largest river expedition in 2014. Its findings are essential for understanding the Danube River and developing measures that will improve its water quality in both chemical and ecological terms. DANUBEPARKS contributed to JDS3 through a study on river dynamics and morphology – key aspects for vital river ecosystems. As a valuable partner at the interface of nature and society, DANUBEPARKS also helped us to increase public awareness and spread information on JDS3 beyond the scientific community.“

Ivan Zavadsky, ICPDR Executive Secretary

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• Danube-wide monitoring, including several tributaries, of the Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin as part of the JDS3

• Awareness building through extended boat trips, topical presentations, and specialized excursions

• Planning of pilot projects focusing on sediment balance and restoration

• Concept for a habitat corridor based on dynamic Danube islands

• Cross-sector workshops with NEWADA Duo, the Network of Danube Waterway Administrations

• Drafting of a river morphology action plan

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Learning about river morphology, protecting river dynamics

Sand Martin and Little Ringed Plover - indicator species for river dynamics

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Steep river banks as breeding sites for Sand Martin Danube-wide monitoring: 56 experts from 13 Protected Areas assessing more than 4,000 river-km

DANUBEPARKS in the ICPDR Joint Danube Survey – integrating science, public awareness and policy Islands – key habitats for Little Ringed Plover

Danube-wide survey of Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin:

river sections in good hydromorphological condition host

highest numbers of both indicator species. Consequently,

this monitoring is an appeal for the conservation of intact

river sections and dedicated river restoration.

Hydromorphological data: Schwarz et al., 2014. Map: Schmidt, BirdLife Österreich

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Preserving dynamicsAlthough the Little Ringed Plover and the SandMartin may at first look appear insignificant, thetask which has emerged from the Danube-widesurveyisindeedfarreaching:

1.Protectionofnear-natural riversectionsontheDanubeand itstributaries;theLowerandMiddleDanube in particular are still monumental naturalgems.

2.Revitalisationofareaswhichhavealreadybeenmassively changed: here, ambitious projects canshowustheway!

3.Effortstomaintainanintactsedimentbalance,because only when a river can shift and storesufficientgravelandsandisitanintactriver.

4.Finally:stimulatingenthusiasmonthepartofthepublic for river dynamics. River dynamics creategorgeousrecreationalspacesandareanecessityforsustainablefloodprotection.Riverscannotbecompletelytamed!

Workshop with Danube waterway administrations

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Wild Island Habitat CorridorIn its WILDisLAND initiative DANUBEPARKSfocusses on protection of the natural Danubeislands. These gravel and sand banks are ofextremeimportanceandrequirespecialprotection.Allowing Mother Nature to do her work meansmore wilderness, and this is the motto of theinitiativetoestablishaDanubeWildIslandhabitatcorridor.Theconceptdraftedundertheleadershipof Persina Nature Park, which protects some ofthe largest Danube islands, calls for cooperation

with waterways authorities, navigation andother landusers in follow-upprojectsandwillbeimplementedstepbystep.

Pilot projects: Sediments and RestorationTheHungarianDuna-DrávaNationalParkhasbeenable to focus interest on a section of the Dravathanks to its revitalisation concept of a tributary.The plan offers a good foundation for concretestepsleadingtotheimprovementofthehabitat.

The Duna-Ipoly National Park designed a pilotstudyinwhichsedimenttookcentrestage,asking:how can river engineering infrastructure on theriverbed (e.g. groynes to facilitate navigation) bedesignedtoensureaslittledisturbanceaspossibletothesedimentbalance?Isitpossibletooptimiseplanning in such a way as to create a win-winsituation?

Stakeholder IntegrationPeopleinterestedinknowingmoreaboutresearchinto riverine landscapes and experiencing thefascination of dynamic rivers at first hand hada lively programme to choose from: a three-day rubber dinghy wilderness tour in Austria;a special excursion which also included topicalpresentations at a festival in Hungary; and workcarriedouttogetherwithayouthnatureprotectiongroup in Bulgaria were all able to stimulateenthusiasmforalivelyriver.

Riversingeneral,andtheDanubeinparticular,arewheremanydiverging interestsandclaimsoftencollide. In order to obtainwhenever possible thebest balance of interests, avoid conflicts, andproduce win-win situations in river management,DANUBEPARKS has teamed up with NEWADADuo, the Network of Danube WaterwayAdministrations.Morejointactivitiesareplanned.

“The Danube River is a backbone for biodiversity in South-East Europe. Danube Protected Areas manage and protect the most valuable sites and habitats. The aim of DANUBEPARKS to foster a coherent management practice, and initiatives like the Wild Island Habitat Corridor contribute significantly to develop the Danube as a large-scale ecological corridor.“

Florian Ballnus, Coordinator of the Priority Area 6 (Biodiversity) of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

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Longitudinal river continuity – gravel at the Upper Danube, fine gravel at the Middle Danube and sand at the Lower Danube

Sharing experiences, visiting river restoration projects

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Flagship SpeciesWhite-tailedeagle

Counters: 300 – Eagles: 750TheWhite-tailedEagleneedslargenaturalspacesandundisturbedareasforbreeding.Thecomplexdemandsthisbirdplacesonitshabitatmakesita

flagshipspecies forwetland forests.The“ActionPlan for the Conservation of the White-tailedEagle along the Danube” developed in the firstDANUBEPARKSproject forms the foundation forthe conservation activities implemented in 2013and2014.

In January 2014, the Protected Areas joined upwithexpertsfromBirdLife,WWFandotherNGOstoorganisethefirstDanube-widewintercountofthe White-tailed Eagle. Around 3000 kilometres,300 mainly volunteer counters, and 3000 hoursspentbravingwindandcold–buttheeffortwasworthit:theDanubeisanimportantwinterhabitatfor 750 eagles! As the first ever Danube-widereportontheover-winteringareasofthespecies,it is an essential instrument in planning futureprotection measures. Results have also beenpublishedintheWhite-tailedEagledatabasesetupbyDANUBEPARKSin2011.

Public ParticipationAn invitation was extended to the general publicin many Protected Areas to “look over theshoulders” of nature experts by way of specialexcursionsandevents,allofwhichhelpfocuseyesonthese“KingsoftheSkies.”

A Eurovision Song Contest-like excitement wasin the air at the well-attended evening eventorganisedattheDonau-AuenNationalPark,wheretransnational monitoring results were collected.Livehook-ups toWhite-tailedEagleexperts inallthe Danube countries truly brought the Danube-widecooperationtolife.Excellentmediacoverageunderscored the significance of transnationalcooperationfortheprotectionofthisspecies.

“The White-tailed Eagle is an excellent flagship species for transnational biodiversity conservation in the Danube region. Protected Areas play a pivotal role for the conservation of this magnificent bird. The fruitful cooperation among DANUBEPARKS and NGOs like the WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme contributes significantly to preserving the Danube‘s rich natural values.“

Andreas Beckmann, Director of the WWF Danube Carpathian Program

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• Organization of the first Danube-wide White-tailed Eagle winter count

• Public participation events in several countries

• Drafting of an implementation plan for White-tailed Eagle conservation in the Protected Areas

• Promotion of the White-tailed Eagle database

• Collaboration with nature protection NGOs

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The Danube river, backbone for White-tailed Eagle in South-East Europe

White-tailed Eagle, the largest bird of prey in the region

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1st Danube-wide White-tailed Eagle winter census: 3000 river-km, 300 experts, 3000 hours in the field

Open events fascinate and inspire the public DANUBEPARKS teams up with experts and NGOs

The Danube region, wintering area for 750 White-tailed Eagles.

Symbolic distribution map shows core wintering areas in the

Danube Delta and in the trilateral area of Duna-Dráva National

Park, Kopacki rit Nature Park and Gornje Podunavlje.

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Flagship Species BlackPoplar

DANUBE PARKS Poplars TheBlackPoplarisTHEgiantoftheDanuberiverecosystem. These powerful and gnarled treesgivethelandscapepersonalityandprovideshelter,nesting places and nourishment for many otheranimal species. Yet these softwood ripariantrees have lost a dramatic amount of territory inthe past 100 years throughout Europe. Intensiveforestrypractices,thelossofsuitableandnaturalregenerationareas,andhybridisationwithpoplarsfromforestryplantationshavecontinuedtobesettheBlackPoplar.

Danube-wide Cadastre Black Poplars were counted in all the DanubeProtectedAreas,andthecadastrehasnowbeenpublishedonline at theDANUBEPARKSwebsite.What is more, 30 trees in each Protected Areaweregenetically andmorphologically tested.Thefinal report on the Black Poplar underlines the

necessityofactiveinterventionineveryProtectedArea in order to preserve the genetic variabilityof the Black Poplar. In the Slovakian DanubewetlandsandtheBulgarianRusenskiLomNaturePark, reforestation measures have already beenundertaken with local Black Poplar seedlings.These activities should reverse the trend byenablingwetland forests to reconquer the spacetheyoriginallyinhabitedalongtheDanube.

International Forest Conference The Black Poplar conference held in April 2014in Novi Sad, Serbia, was the ideal opportunityfor experience exchange, with the presentationof results from mapping and genetic analysis,conclusions obtained in pilot projects, and ideasfor increasing awareness.Forestry and ProtectedArea managers as wellas representatives fromNGOs from the entire

Danuberegionattended.Theconferencethuslaidthefoundationforenhancedcooperationbetweennature conservation and forestry on a Danube-wide level. Inorder topromoteprotectionof thepowerful and impressive Black Poplar, selectedtreeshavebeendesignatedas“DANUBEPARKSGiants.”Asigntothiseffectshoulddirectvisitorattention to theseprimespecimens;bywayofaQRcode,additional informationwillbeofferedattheDANUBEPARKSwebsite.

• Danube-wide mapping of Black Poplars

• Genetic and morphological testing of the Black Poplar in 8 countries

• Publication on the genetic variability of the Black Poplar on the Danube

• Black Poplar conference for the promotion of cooperation between nature conservation and forestry

• Reforestation activities for the Black Poplar in Slovakia and Bulgaria

• Designation of outstanding Black Poplar specimens as “DANUBEPARKS Giants”

• Design of mobile information on the Black Poplar via QR code

• Presentation of the Black Poplar cadastre at the DANUBEPARKS website

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Variability of European Black Poplar (Populus nigra L.) in the Danube Basin / 1

DANUBEPARKS GIANTS´ labelling

Flagship species Black poplar: forest conference and monograph

Restoring rejuvenation habitats

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Monitoring Awareness Building TheProtectedAreasplayaspecialroleincreatingawareness of environmental issues, particularly

amonglocalpopulationsandtourists.Programmesof high quality are essential in order to reachthese educational goals. Taking all Danube-wideactivities intoaccount,effortsshouldbemadetopromoteoneanotherandtooffercomplementaryprogrammesintermsofcontent.

The goal of an assessment tour to organisationsalong the Danube offering environmentaleducation was to prepare future cooperationprojects and learn from the various organisers.More than 40 organisations were visited in onlythreeweeks,withtoursoffacilitiesandinterviewswith the respective directors. Based on theseinsights, quality guidelines were developedfor environmental education programmes inthe Danube Protected Areas. The results havebeen published in “Environmental Educationin Protected Areas along the Danube - Reporton the Assessment Tour and Quality Guidelinesfor Environmental Education.” The map to the

right also offers best-practice examples and anoverviewofthesitesvisited.

Future joint projects should heed these qualityguidelinesandworkpro-activelytoachievethem,stepbystep.

“The EU Strategy for the Danube Region is based on the idea that common challenges -whether environmental, economic or security related- are best tackled in cooperation. DANUBEPARKS is an excellent example of an integrated approach to deal with biodiversity and sustainable tourism in the Danube, also contributing to the promotion of the beauty and benefits of cooperation to the wider public.“

Anna Repullo-Grau, European Commission,

DG Regional and Urban Policy

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Tourism and Education

• Concept development of a common DANUBEPARKS visitor centre

• Programming and installation of digital “Info Corners” in existing visitor centres

• Carrying out of exploratory assessment tour

• Drafting of quality guidelines

• Development of nature tourism programmes for people with disabilities (Germany)

• Gathering of good-practice examples of nature tourism for people with disabilities and first actual experience with the topic (Hungary)

• Analysis of carrying capacities in the Protected Areas (Germany, Romania)

• Creation of database sensitive species and corresponding visitor management

• Active membership in the Danube Competence Centre

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Exploratory tour all the way to KM Zero

Be it simple, playful, technical or culinary - diversity in educational methods is the key to success

Environmental Education helps people value natural diversity

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➊ Nature Park Train in the Nature Park Obere Donau

➋ National Park brand promotes local products in Hungary

➌ Participatory events for the locals in the Slovakian Danube wetlands

➍ Training teachers as guides in Futura Mosonmagyarovar

➎ Innovative outdoor fishery exhibition in Duna-Dráva National Park

➏ Integration of architectural heritage in Lonsjko Polje Nature Park

➐ Fibreglass models instead of stuffed animals in Persina Nature Park

➑ Working with children and NGOs in Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Reserve

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Exploratory assessment tour on environmental

education: more than 40 sites were visited, with

select examples of good practice highlighted here.

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One Centre for All The DanubeBend, locatednorthof Budapest, isone of the most important tourist destinationson the river and the planned site of the futureDANUBEPARKS visitor centre. An exhibit willunderscore the Danube’s significance as ashared, interconnectedhabitat forall theDanubecountries.An outdoor naturepath will mirror theDanube’s course and allow visitors to “walk”all the different Danube Protected Areas. Ascoordinator,theDuna-IpolyNationalParkisplayingaleadroleinrealisingthisambitiousproject.

In order to show the interconnectedness of theDanube Protected Areas at present, the DjerdapNationalParkheadedupaprojecttodevelopdigital“InfoCorners” forexistingvisitorcentres.Thesetouchscreen exhibits offer information aboutDANUBEPARKS and the individual ProtectedAreas.

How Many People Can Nature Bear?The ideathat thereare limits tocarryingcapacityplaysamajorrolewhenitcomestonature-friendlytourism activities. How many visitors can visit aProtected Area without endangering the verythingsitismeanttoprotect?Howcanwechannelvisitors towards those activities that ensurean enjoyable experience of nature without anynegativeimpactonournaturaltreasures?

The Danube Riparian Forest Neuburg-Ingolstadtand the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserveservedaspilotareasinaprojectaimedatfindingpreliminary answers on how to address thiscomplexissue.Insightsgainedintheprojectwereconveyedtopartnersbywayofworkshops,andadatabase now contains learning experiences andpoints to possible solutions which minimise theconflictbetweensensitivespeciesandtourism.

Accessible Nature for AllAchangeofperspectiveisrequiredwhenitcomesto making nature tourism and environmentaleducation programmes accessible to peoplewith disabilities. Only after actually workingtogether with people with physical, mental and/orcognitivedisabilitiescanweknowhowbesttoaccommodate their particular requirements andadaptourvisitoroffersaccordingly.

At Danube Riparian Forest Neuburg-Ingolstadt, aweek-longcampwasorganised forpersonswithdisabilities along with staff of an association fordisabledpersonsinordertodevelopprogrammestogether. At the Duna-Dráva National Park, anevent devoted to illuminating good-practiceexamplesinthisareawasorganised.

The newly-developed programmes weresubsequently tested with the association fordisabledpersonsaswell aswith the responsiblepersonsintheProtectedAreas.Maytheseeffortsleadtonaturebeingaccessibletoall!

Experiencing nature with all different senses Carrying capacities – respecting nature’s limits Learning from people with disabilities

Future exhibition at the Danube Bend European Pond Turtle – sensitive species

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Communication

• Kick-Off Meeting in Ingolstadt

• Final Conference in Budapest

• Drafting of a communication plan

• Ongoing PR, monitoring of press clippings

• Publication of Danube Inside Magazine

• Development of an online photo archive

• Organisation of the transnational Chance for the Blue Danube art competition and travelling exhibition

• Organisation of Danube Festivals in Tulcea and Backi Monostor

• Production of promotional giveaways such as bags, shirts, pens, pins, maps and more

• Study visits and staff exchanges among the Protected Areas and for external experts

• Presentation of the project at numerous external conferences

• Permanent updating of website and map with information about new partners

• Creation of a DANUBEPARKS book and photo exhibition

• Publication of a DANUBEPARKS calendar

• Distribution of six external newsletters

• Monthly internal newsletters

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Using the Power of PersuasionThe natural treasures of the Danube belong tous all! DANUBEPARKS continues to stimulateenthusiasmfor thesheermagnificenceofnatureas well as understanding of the more “hidden”gemstobefoundalongtheDanube.

Annual highlights in this regard were again theDanube Festivals. The 2013 festival in Tulceatook place in cooperation with RowMania, withDelta native and canoe legend Ivan Patzaichinassumingtheroleofchampionandsponsor.TheinformationstandsandprogrammesofferedbytheProtectedAreaswereeagerlyreceivedbylocalandinternationalvisitors.

In Backi Monostor, Serbia, the 2014 DanubeFestivalwasheldjointlywiththeBodrogFestival,a transnational event known and loved farbeyond the country’s borders. The importanceof preserving nature along the Danube and thenecessity of cooperation were the focus of theevent.

Art for NatureThepaintingcompetition“AChancefor theBlueDanube”wasagaincarriedoutwith internationalparticipation.Theexhibit travelled in thesummerof 2013 through six Danube countries. For its

15-year anniversary in 2014, the best works ofrecent years were presented at the EuropeanCommission in Brussels; Romanian RuralDevelopment Commissioner Dacian Ciolos gavetheopeningspeech.

PublicationsDANUBEPARKScanalsobeexperienced inbothblack and white and stunning colour: Nature’s Heavens on the DanubepresentsthefullgloryoftheDanubeProtectedAreas.Thisillustratedbookwill not only promote awareness of the manynatural gems tobe found along theDanube, butalsoencouragereaderstoactuallyvisitthem.

Yet time never stands still. The DANUBEPARKScalendarforJanuary2014-June2015hasalreadybeen distributed to partners and stakeholdersin the Protected Areas. Thus visitors and policymakers will be reminded of DANUBEPARKSprojectsforalongtime.

Public relations in the field

Danube Festivals are annual highlights

“A Chance for the Blue Danube“ in Brussels

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Partnership is the key to successful work

A network consists not only of organisations,butaboveallofpeople.Theselasttwopagesarededicatedtoallthosewhoseactiveandproductivecontributionssupportthisworkingpartnership.

Two-thirds of the Danube Delta lies in Romania.The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve protectsthe largest wetlands of the Danube, one ofEurope’s most important. With a survey andtransferable methodology on limits to carryingcapacity, the reserve has taken a significantstep in uniting nature conservation and tourismthroughouttheentirenetwork.

Located on the tributary Rusenski Lom, theRusenski Lom Nature Park protects a sceniccanyon,ahabitatformanycliff-breedingbirdsandbats. Thepark is also in chargeof theprotectedsite Kalimok-Brushlen, where a Black Poplarreforestationprojecthasbeen implemented–animportantshowcaseprojectfortheentireDanuberegion.

TheislandsoftheBulgarianDanubeareespeciallyimportant stepping stones in the ecologicalcorridor of the Danube. Persina Nature Park,where some of these islands may be found,has undertaken a detailed planning for theconservationofislandsbothinsideandoutsidethepark’s borders as part of an action plan on rivermorphology.

The impressive Djerdap Gorge lies where theDanube parts the Carpathians. Together withRomanian partners, the Djerdap National Parkworks toprotectnativespecies.Asan importanttourist destination, the park has led the way indevelopingdigital“InfoCorners”fortheProtectedAreasalongtheentireDanube.

TheLonjsko Polje Nature Park liesontheSavain Croatia and is characterised by a meanderingand natural lowlands river landscape. Use of theland in the surrounding areas has been adaptedto the natural conditions of wetlands. Thanks to

thepark’sefforts,theDanube-widemonitoringoftheLittleRingedPloverandSandMartincouldbecarriedoutontheSavaforthefirsttime.

The Gornje Podunavlje Nature Reserve isfound in the triangle formedbyHungary,Croatiaand Serbia; this Serbian reserve is maintainedby the provincial forestry administration ofVojvodinašume.BlackStorksandnumerousotherbirds nest here thanks to the area’s expansiveforests. The reserve’s competence in mattersof forestry management was of significance toDANUBEPARKSintheDanube-wideevaluationoftheBlackPoplarpopulationandtheorganisationofaforestrymanagementconference.

Another triangle partner, Kopački-rit Nature Park,protectstheexpansivewetlandswheretheDravameetstheDanube.Thisareaisofparticularimportance for the White-tailed Eagle, and it ishere where the highest density of nesting pairsmay be found. Thus it is natural that Kopački-

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rit assumed a lead role in the winter count ofthe species; they also organised a preparatoryworkshopintandemwiththeirHungarianpartners.

The Hungarian Duna-Dráva National Parkalso lies on the confluence of the Danube andthe Drava, which forms the natural boundary toCroatia.Thankstoitsmanyyearsofexperienceinrivermorphologyand revitalisation, thisparkwastheonetosubmitarevitalisationplanforasidearmoftheDravaaspartoftherivermorphologyactionplan;italsoexpandedtheDanube-widemonitoringoftheLittleRingedPloverandtheSandMartinontheDrava.

Located in Hungary, the Duna-Ipoly National Park is the second in the network to unite theDanube with the Carpathians and thus protectsvery unique habitats. As an important touristdestination,thisparkhasdevelopedaconceptfora common DANUBEPARKS visitor centre that isto be built here at the Danube Bend; the centre

willshowcasetheecologyofallDanubeProtectedAreas.

Fertö-Hanság National Park is responsible forthe administration of the Szigetköz LandscapeProtection Area along the border of Hungary/Slovakia which protects the last remaining andonce largest inlanddeltaof theDanube.ThroughtheintegrationofthisProtectedArea,allDanube-wide activities can now be implemented on atransnationalbasisinthisregionaswell,meaninganimportantgaphasnowbeenclosed.

TheSlovakianNGOBROZhasdedicated itself tothe revitalisation and conservation of Dunajské luhy (Slovak Danube floodplains) and Záhorie Landscape Protection AreasonthebanksoftheMorava.BROZhascarriedoutanothersuccessfulmodel project entailing reforestation measureswithBlackPoplarsandothernativetreespecies.

ExtendingfromViennatoBratislava, theAustrianDonau-Auen National Park protects one of the

last free-flowing sections of the Upper Danube.As leadpartner, it is responsible for coordinatingthe activities of all project partners. Thanks tomanyyearsofexperience in river revitalisation incollaborationwithwaterwaysauthorities,theparkplaysamajorroleincross-sectorcooperationwithnavigationstakeholders.

The Danube Riparian Forest Neuburg-Ingolstadt bordering the Ingolstadt dam hasbeen the subject of a complex revitalisation bya network including the administrative districtof Neuburg-Schrobenhausen and the city ofIngolstadt.Inadditiontoorganisinganassessmenttrip to facilities for environmental education, thearea developed a tourism offer for people withdisabilities.

c/o Donau-Auen National Park

SchlossOrth,2304OrthanderDonau,Austria

[email protected],www.danubeparks.org

1 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve



8 Iron Gates Natural Park

4 Small Wetlands of Braila


14 Duna-Ipoly National Park




3 Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park

12 Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve 13 Duna-Dráva National Park 16 Dunajské Luhy Protected Landscape Area

17 Záhorie Protected Landscape Area 19 Narrow Valley of the Danube in Passau district 20 Donauauwald Neuburg-Ingolstadt18 Donau-Auen National Park

7 Persina Nature Park6 Rusenski Lom Nature Park

DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0 PROJECT REPORT 2012 – 2014€¦ · DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0 PROJECT REPORT 2012...

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