On a journey of discovery in the Obst-Hügel-Land nature park

Winter still has us firmly in its grip, but the Obst-Hügel-Land nature park is already starting the new season with vigor. The program begins in February with pruning and finishing courses as well as old tree care. After all, the preservation of this special cultural landscape with the old tall and half-stem fruit trees on the meadow orchards is an important goal in the two member communities of Scharten and St. Marienkirchen.

After the corona-related break, the major events are taking place again this year, which will attract thousands of visitors to the fruit region, such as the Schartner cherry blossom hike (April 16), the Mostkost or the Samareiner Weberbartl apple hike (September 24).

The nature park is once again taking part in the nature education program “Naturschauspiel” this year. “New this year is the offer ‘climate foxes in the nature park’, which deals with which animals and plants benefit from climate change and which are disadvantaged,” says nature park manager Rainer Silber, who this year and his team will again offer around 80 different nature experience offers guided tours and workshops.

In May, the nature park schools and kindergartens in Scharten and Samarein start the “Landscapes full of superheroes” project, which is mainly about insects.

In the area of ​​species protection, the nature park is still committed to the endangered lapwings. The clutches of this ground-breeding bird could be protected through protective measures and cooperation with farmers and good breeding successes were recorded. Furthermore, in cooperation with the owl protection group Upper Austria, there is also a project for the endangered little owl, which has its habitat around the meadow orchards and breeds in tree cavities.

Actions with schools are also planned on the subject of butterflies, as well as the creation of flowering areas for the colorful butterflies – imitators of flowering meadows are welcome.

• The program of events is available from the nature park office, in municipalities and partner companies and at www.obsthuegelland.at