Nature restoration: an opportunity for cities and municipalities
How can towns and municipalities actively contribute to the restoration of nature? This question was the focus of the webinar ‘Nature Restoration and Municipalities’, which was organised by the two networks Alliance in the Alps and Alpine Town of the Year on 12 December 2024. Experts from five Alpine countries showed how municipalities are investing in their nature – with concrete measures and inspiring examples.
EU regulation on the restoration of nature
Georg Kanz from the Ministry of Climate Action led the negotiations on the “Nature Restoration Law” for Austria. He emphasises the special feature that specific ecosystems such as forests, moors and rivers are being addressed for the first time. Particularly relevant for municipalities: Green spaces must not be further reduced by 2030; instead, they should be continuously expanded and improved. Measures such as the promotion of organic farming, tree planting and forest reorganisation are also planned. It is important to know that the law does not aim for a specific target state, but rather takes into account the dynamics of nature – the main aim is to get things moving.
Forest: More than just wood
Florian Lang, project manager of KomBi from Bavaria, made it clear in his input: forest reorganisation is essential for municipalities in order to exploit corresponding ecosystem services. With concepts such as mixed age structures, biotope trees, preservation of deadwood and ecological forestry, both yields and biodiversity can be increased, as impressively demonstrated by examples such as the municipality of Lohr am Main. In his input, Ulrich Weiland highlighted the large-scale nature conservation project Allgäuer Moorallianz, in which near-natural moors and forests are being preserved and optimised.
Involving people: The key to success
High-quality natural spaces in urban areas need disorder – flowering areas cannot bloom colourfully all year round, they also need a phase of dry, brown grasses. Johannes Maurer from Suske Consulting in Austria presented the “Neatly sloppy!” campaign, Johannes Maurer from Suske Consulting in Austria presented a way for local authorities to create acceptance for biodiversity measures. Emotions are put before facts, because people want to be taken along with understandable and attractive examples.
Engaging and involving people was also the focus of two river revitalisation projects, the Lambro in Lombardy – presented by Daniela Masotti – and the Emmebach in Vorarlberg. Both projects protect against flooding, create biotopes along watercourses and increase the local recreational value. Such projects often meet with resistance from the authorities, explained Jürgen Schmid from the municipality of Altach, but perseverance pays off, as they enrich people and nature in an impressive way.
Inspiring ideas for urban greenery
Anthony Perrin from the French municipality of La Motte-Servolex reported on micro-forests, slacklines for ground squirrels, green corridors and co-ownership models for urban trees. Barbara Duy presented Vienna’s cemeteries as model projects for urban greenery – with biotopes, natural burials and urban gardening. Danilo Čeh from Slovenia presented a catalogue of nature-based solutions such as green façades for air purification and water recovery.
Conclusion: small steps, big impact
The webinar ended with a clear call: Municipalities should utilise the land and resources available to them – from parks and cemeteries to roadsides. Whether through sustainable forestry, biodiversity projects or urban greening, the first step is crucial. Because only those who lead by example can inspire others.
Further webinars for cities & municipalities
With a series of webinars on the implementation of the Alpine Conference’s multi-year work programme, the “Alliance in the Alps” network of municipalities and the “Alpine Town of the Year” association are offering a platform for municipalities that want to move from thinking to action. The focus is on the local perspective on biodiversity, climate action and quality of life. This initiative for municipalities and towns in the Alpine region is a follow-up to AlpWeek 2024 in Nova Gorica/SI under the motto “Alps in our hands” and is financially supported by the Slovenian Presidency of the Alpine Convention.
Further dates:
13.01.2025: Climate & Municipalities
17.03.2025: Life Quality & Municipalities
30.04.2025: Tourism & Municipalities