From November 2023 to October 2026, the "Ecovisit SKAT" project will implement cross-border cooperation between several organizations to protect nature. In the Austria-Slovakia project area, with its valuable natural areas that are sensitive to human disturbance, visitor pressure is increasing and people from the growing cities of Vienna and Bratislava are seeking recreation in nature. In the Ecovisit SKAT project, visitors are involved in nature conservation. It was submitted for funding as part of the INTERREG V-A SK-AT cooperation program.
The project has two main focuses:
Visitor offers and visitor guidance
Creation of a cross-regional visitor study to determine the motives, interests and origins of visitors
Further development of visitor facilities such as eco-centers or themed trails
Exhibitions, accompanied by quality-assuring evaluations with visitors
Development of environmental education programs and educational materials
Awareness-raising and public relations work for the general public and experts (conferences, publications, events)
Renaturalization in the project area
Management measures for renaturation such as reforestation, grazing and mowing
Involvement of volunteer groups and schools in renaturation work as a nature education measure
As project partners of the Donau-Auen National Park, the Region Marchfeld, the DAPHNE organization und the State Nature Conservation Agency in Slovakia are involved in the Ecovisit SKAT project.