Project details

Together with EUROPARC Deutschland e.V., IfLS was appointed by the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (BMLFUW) and the Association of Austrian National Parks to evaluate the management of all Austrian national parks. The main target is to analyze whether the management of the national parks is consistent with the goals of the Austrian National Park Strategy.

The Austrian National Park Strategy describes strategic values and targets for Austrian national parks. The national parks acknowledge the mission statement “Sustainability for the Environment and People” and commit to the following values: 

• Nature as part of national identity
• Commitment of Natural heritage
• National parks symbolize future
• National parks serve the environment
• National parks serve the people

The evaluation is conducted based on a predetermined set of criteria. A team of scientists and representatives of national parks pass an expert opinion on survey results and give recommendations for action. Using a participative approach, national park administrations and regional stakeholder are actively involved in the evaluation process, e.g.  through regional workshops and the Delphi method approach.