Villach Nature Site: New Association for Corporate Conservation Conservation

Villach Nature Site: New Association for Corporate Conservation Conservation

In the city of Villach, a new association has been founded that is committed to nature conservation. The association bears the name "Naturerbe Villach" and is the result of an initiative of the city that is unparalleled in Carinthia. Mayor Günther Albel confirms the importance of the project and emphasizes: "With such an important topic, I think the advice from Expert is indispensable inside. Therefore I am pleased how top -class the association is."

The board of directors is made up of prestigious experts, which includes Gerhard Leeb - the environmental winner of the State of Carinthia and the city of Villach. Other members are Christina Pichler-Koban (Institute for Ecology in Klagenfurt), Klaus Kleinegger from the Environment, Nature and Climate Protection Department of the Carinthian State Government and Christian Salmhofer from the Carinthian Climate Alliance. For the start, the city of Villach will provide funding of 15,000 euros.

goals and activities of the association

The main purpose of the "Naturerbe Villach" is to examine the loss of natural areas through construction projects and to acquire valuable properties with biodiversity. These areas should be provided with the best protection status and thus protected against economic interventions. Gerhard Leeb explains the concern of the association: "Our private association relies on renaturation. And we enable private individuals and companies to make their contribution to a natural symmetry, be it through donations or by bringing in."

Another important concern is advice on the use of sealed areas, because there are always ways of how ecological aspects can be integrated into construction projects: "There are always ecologically sensible opportunities to improve projects," emphasizes Leeb.

First project: Petschnigtich

The association has already launched its first project: the Petschnigteich, a small oasis in the heart of Villach, is protected by undeveloped land from the eradication. This project is made possible by gifting a property by the Villach master builder Sepp Willroider. The aim is to network the Petschnigteich with the adjacent St. Leonharder See and the Vassacher See in the medium term. Leeb explains: "This green corridor guarantees the permeability that the pond needs."

In the coming years, the association plans to implement similar projects throughout the city. "We will inform our steps continuously and transparently," said Leeb in conclusion. In this sense, the new association shows how communal commitment and expert knowledge can contribute to the protection of nature.