Principles of Foundation

National parks have become model projects of nature conservation and environmental protection in Austria and demonstration projects in their respective regions.  They owe their success stories in part to the principles underlying their development.
The strategy of the national park foundation is based on three major principles:

1. Voluntary agreement of land owners
2. Adequate compensation for economic disadvantages
3. Adherence to international criteria as defined by IUCN in the Protected Area Management Category II of “national parks”

These principles ensure that our national parks meet high quality standards and that land owners do not suffer any financial disadvantages.  The regional population and regional nature conservation unions are involved in the development of the national parks.  Meanwhile, the original scepticism shown by the local population and communities has given way to a broad acceptance.  Today there is even a trend towards expanding the national parks.

Both the Federal Government and the respective Federal Province or Provinces (in the case of parks that cross provincial boundaries) cover 50 % of the national park costs.

31.10.2005, Lebensministerium II/4