Annual report 2020 & 2021

A special year, marked by the challenge of mastering a pandemic!

The Corona Virus brought a number of changes: more individual visitors, less organized events. A "new" normality has developed in our park and we have noticed how important a natural recreation area is for local residents and guests! This annual report summarizes our activities during the years 2020 & 2021

Open 365 days a year

The past two years were also very challenging for the nature park. Many things could not be carried out as usual, and yet a few interesting figures bear witness to the hustle and bustle in the nature park: In addition to urgent forest work with external partners, the entire nature park team performed about 4,500 hours of work per year in the interest of nature conservation, for the maintenance and care of all facilities/hiking trails, as well as for the welfare of the animals in the forest and in the enclosures.
For the care of the total of 45 animals in 5 enclosures (180 animal legs), 725 small bales of hay, 20 large bales of straw and about 8 tons of feed were needed per year.
Countless guests (approx. 35,000/year) also visited the nature park in the past two years, of which just under 4,000 people took part in forest educational offers and events that were carried out.
These figures strengthen the team in its actions with regard to the relevance of the nature park tasks and their commitment to protection, education, recreation and regional development in the nature park.

In winter there is a lot to do

In addition to the joint winter service of the outdoor team of the nature park with the building yard team of the municipality of Purkersdorf, together with the civilian servant, who is involved in the respective year during the cold season, especially the nature park workshop is brought up to scratch, equipment is maintained and serviced and the material for upcoming work of the beginning season is prepared.

Spring awakening a little different

With the first lockdown in spring 2020, the team went into separate shift work for some time to be able to perform the most necessary work such as feeding and caring for the animals or checking and securing the nature park facilities. In the following year of the pandemic, the division was individually adapted to the needs of the nature park's work.
Due to the persistent drought and the small amounts of snow in the winter of both seasons, the forest biotope of the nature park had to be filled with several cubic meters of water in each of the past two years with the active support of the Purkersdorf fire department and with the help of a 380 meter long hose line. This has primarily ensured the survival of the amphibians, especially the protected yellow-bellied toad.

The nature park in a new outfit

In mid-May 2020, after intensive work, the new website of the nature park went online, hand in hand with a new brand identity and nature park logo. The changeover in the nature park at the numerous information areas, signs and boards has been implemented gradually since then. In addition, this reorientation is intended to make the nature park more clearly perceived by the numerous forest visitors as a protected area with its diverse tasks and functions. The managing director Gabriela Orosel was interviewed by Michaela Necker about this and about the added value of a nature park for a report on Radio Klassik.

More relaxed through the summer

In the summer months, the Nature Park was once again able to carry out its forest educational outings with school classes, as well as scoring points with some smaller events, such as Reading in the Green, and was able to provide valuable information work at the Species Protection Days in the Schönbrunn Zoo. Sustainable educational work in the fresh air class is an important aspect for a holistic learning and forest experience for the generation of tomorrow. To emphasize the importance of outdoor education, a copy of the book "Teaching Outdoors" was presented to each of the existing nature park schools in the region.
Some selective improvement work was carried out on the wild animal enclosures, with a view to the months with little rain, to ensure a reliable water supply for the animals.

Autumn time with numerous seasonal highlights

In mid-September 2020, the nature park celebrated its 45th anniversary at the traditional nature park festival. This, as in 2021, scored despite pandemic-related restrictions with different forest tours instead of the usual supporting program and an exhibition on the history of the nature park. As a partner of the 1st Climate Day of the municipality of Purkersdorf, the Nature Park was able to plant several lime trees, Tree of the Year, in the fall of 2021 together with students and jointly create a valuable deadwood hedge. An important contribution to the preservation of biodiversity and important habitat for numerous animals. Subsequently, the Nature Park was able to implement the project "Zugpferd Nature Park" through a sponsored project with the Biosphere Park Vienna Woods and to bring soil-conserving, gentle forestry work using horses including the removal of mighty tree trunks for interested visitors in the foreground, This action was also recorded as a video report. As an innovation for local hobby gardeners, the nature park started in the fall of 2020 against donation the distribution of sheep wool as plant fertilizer.

Late autumn for the final spurt to the end of the year.

Finally, shortly before Christmas 2020, cabaret artist Omar Sarsam accompanied by three children visits the wintry Vienna Woods with the "A1 Smile Adventzauber" to also learn a bit about the life and behavior of wild boars as well as to be present at the feeding of the animals.
Here is a videolink (the nature park appears from minute 8:04)

We say "thank you"

The Nature Park Purkersdorf thanks all guests who have sought recreation in the two Corona exception years 2020 & 2021 in the protected area and hopefully also found "with all senses". At the same time, it was and is particularly important to the nature park and its team in its activities that through its annual activities, through the implementation of set goals and projects, in addition to the recreational function, a sustainable added value in the areas of education, protection and regional development is created, from which visitors can "take away" a lot.

See you again next year!