1 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve 2 Srebarna Nature Reserve 3 Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Site 4 Rusenski Lom Nature Park 5 Persina Nature Park 6 Djerdap National Park 7 Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve 8 Kopački rit Nature Park 9 Lonjsko Polje Nature Park 10 Duna-Dráva National Park 11 Duna-Ipoly National Park 12 Dunajské luhy Protected Landscape Area 13 Záhorie Protected Landscape Area 14 Donau-Auen National Park 15 Donauauwald Neuburg Ingolstadt

DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0 PROJECT REPORT 2012 – 2014 Imprint c/o Donau-Auen National Park 2Schloss Orth, 2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria Project Manager: Georg Frank Phone: +43/2212/3450-19, Fax: +43/2212/3450-17 [email protected] www.danubeparks.org Photos: Daniel Petrescu, Rosenberger, Kovacs, Frank, Leona Valeriu, Baumgartner, Wagner, Manzano, Zinke, Bandacu, Hafner, Hoyer, Nagy, Kern, Suciu, Schmidt, Buchner/Bird- Life, Fiala, Zwefo, Bruck, Kracher, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Srebarna Nature Reserve, Kalimok-Brushlen Pro- tected Site, Rusenski Lom Nature Park, Persina Nature Park, Djerdap National Park, Gornje Podunavjle Special Nature Reserve, Kopački-rit Nature Park, Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, Duna-Dráva National Park, Duna-Ipoly National Park, BROZ, Donau-Auen Nationalpark, Donauauwald Neuburg Ingol- stadt, ICPDR, Ballnus, Alessandro, Pala, Lebensministerium Layout: Michael Kalb, www.michaelkalb.at Printed by Donau Forum Druck Print run of 1,000. © July 2014. Produced using environmentally-friendly technologies and materials. Errors and omissions excepted. The DANUBEPARKS Network

The Danube River hosts immense natural values. officially founded. Since then, much has been well as the tourism industry through DCC (Danube Protected Areas are responsible for the conserva- achieved. Competence Centre), is a daily matter. In this way, tion of biodiversity hotspots along the river. Since Robust and amicable cooperation has arisen within we work towards integrative and sustainable deve- the accession of many Danube countries to the EU the framework of two ETC-SEE projects. Exchange lopment along our common river. in 2004 and 2007, they not only share the same of experience and know-how has led to coordina- The growth of the Network itself is proof of our challenges: EU legislation like the Fauna-Flora ted strategies for select issues in nature conser- success: The originally 8 founders were joined by Habitat Directive and strategies like the EU Stra- vation, with Danube-wide monitoring, joint public ### more over the last 7 years, now forming a net- tegy for the Danube Region now form a common relations, and pilot projects of transnational signifi- work of ## Protected Areas from 9 countries. framework for nature protection in the region. cance on the agenda. The natural treasures of the Danube are interlin- DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0 Integrative approach ked all along the river. Nature does not recognize Within our second joint project DANUBEPARKS 3 state borders – therefore, nature protection needs DANUBEPARKS has become a widely recognized STEP 2.0, we have again treated diverse topics to work across borders too! nature conservation network. International bodies that are of transnational relevance: The cornerstone for transnational cooperation in such as the ICPDR (International Commission for • Protection of Black Poplar and White-tailed the Protected Areas along the Danube was laid in the Protection of the Danube) and the EUSDR (EU Eagle as flagship species 2007 in Tulcea. Through the signing of the Decla- Strategy for the Danube Region) are among our • Preservation and restoration of natural river ration of Vienna in 2009, DANUBEPARKS – the permanent partners. dynamics Danube River Network of Protected Areas – was Economic sectors on the river also play an impor- • Improvement of nature tourism and environ- tant role. Cooperation with NEWADA Duo, the Net- mental education offers work of Danube Waterway Administrations, with EU-funding programme: European Territorial forestry companies of the Danube countries, as • Organizational development Cooperation in South East Europe (ETC-SEE) Project Title: DANUBEPARKS STEP 2.0

Term: October 2012 – September 2014

Project budget: EUR 2.2 million EU-Financing Partnership: 14 project partners, 17 observers Strengthening Long-term Cooperation

horizons on a local level. Danube-wide strategies The analysis of the advantages and disadvantages “The Danube is our joint inter- are drafted, and concrete protective measures of various structures should support Protected national natural heritage. We have been implemented. Yet there is still much Area administrators in future organisational trans-

Voices all share the responsibility for to be done. For this reason, the DANUBEPARKS formations. We can learn so much from one ano- its protection. As it passes ten association was founded in August 2014. In future, ther – not only about nature conservation, but countries, transnational coope- ration is needed for wise river the association will be the voice of the Danube Pro- about organisational development as well! management. The Austrian tected Areas, promoting our agenda in the political Federal Ministry welcomes the arena and constituting an ongoing framework for coordinating role of the Donau-Auen National cooperation to expand our project-based collabo- • Exchange of experience with the Alpine and Park for DANUBEPARKS and supports the ration. In this way we can ensure that DANUBE- Carpathian Networks of Protected Areas initiatives for the long-term anchoring of the (ALPARC, CNPA) PARKS will continue to have a positive impact on Danube River Network of Protected Areas.“ • Exchange of experience with the EU Strategy Actions 4 sustainable development in the Danube region. Andrä Rupprechter, Federal Minister for the Baltic Sea Region of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment Promoting Anticipatory Organisational • Study on organizational structures of Pro- and Water Management, Austria Development tected Area Administrations • Director’s workshop on organizational deve- In our reflections on the organisation of DANUBE- lopment Institutionalization Process PARKS, we have also taken a closer look at the • Founding of the DANUBEPARKS Association individual administrations of the Protected Areas. DANUBEPARKS has become a platform for lively • Project Managers Trainings on Presentation, cooperation among the Danube Protected Areas. We evaluated topics like funding, official duties, Moderation, Leadership, EU Funding and The exchange of experience has led to expanded economic activities of administrations, and pro- Applications, and EU Policy Work perty ownership issues. • Intense collaboration with ICPDR and EUSDR • Meetings with EU Parliament and EU Com- mission • Drafting of the DANUBEPARKS Enlargement Strategy • Integration of ### new Protected Areas into the Network • Leading the ETC-SEE capitalization process for nature protection projects New Partners on Board!

Enlargement of the Network Iron Gates Natural Park, Romania: at the Iron ficant Landscape Erdut, Horticultural Monuments. Gates, where the Danube parts the Carpathi- The Instritution joined the Network in April 2014. Active and dedicated partners are the foundation ans, this park protects the Romanian side of the of successful cooperation in the DANUBEPARKS Danube. Having participated in several workshops network. Following the development of an expan- during the project, it joined the network in August sion strategy for the network, several new partners 2014. have now joined. Voices Natura 2000 Area of Wachau, Austria: a popular Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park, Romania: tourist destination, the Wachau Valley is known for the meandering flow of the Lower Prut River is an its stunning scenery. Here, Natura 2000 now pro- important natural heritage on the Prut tributary, the tects one of two remaining free-flowing sections of last before the Danube Delta. This park took part in the Danube in Austria. The Wachau working group “The last years´ intensive and fruitful coopera- the Danube-wide monitoring of indicator species supported DANUBEPARKS in its cooperation with tion within DANUBEPARKS resulted in a strong 5 and trustful partnership. Danube Protected and joined the network in September 2013. NEWADA Duo and joined the network in August Areas differ in protection status, organizational Lower Prut Nature Reserve, Moldova: located 2014. structures and morphological frame condi- on the Moldovan side, this reserve was created Danube valley around Passau, Germany: Hill- tions, but share common challenges and visi- to protect the river as well as Lake Beleu, whose side forests and heat meadows in Danube gorges, ons. Representing the Upper, the Middle and the Lower Danube, we express commitment to water levels are dependent on the Prut and the but also narrow floodplains and islands are pro- Danube. Having joined the network in September further intensify our cooperation for our joint tected and managed by the regional government Danube natural heritage and to integrate all 2013, this reserve participated in the Danube-wide of Passau. Having supported the environmental relevant Protected Areas at our joint river.“ winter count of the White-tailed Eagle. education assessment tour; the Protected Areas Eszter Buchert, Grigore Baboianu, Small Wetlands of Braila, Romania: just before joined in August 2014. Carl Manzano, DANUBEPARKS Spokespersons the final bend of the Danube towards the east, Regional Park Mura-Drava, Croatia: The Public the river branches out into several arms which Institution for Nature Protection in Osijek-Baranja embrace the expansive and wild Braila Islands. County manages several proteceted ares such as This partner supported the development of follow- Regional Park Mura-Drava, Special Reserve Pod- up projects and joined the network in August 2014. panj, Natural Monument Cementary of Bilje, Signi- River Dynamics

The Beating Heart of a Riverine Joint Danube Survey “The ICPDR’s Joint Danube Ecosystem Survey or JDS3 was the In 2013 this study was repeated as part of the ICPDR Joint Danube Survey, which investigates

Voices world´s largest river expedi- The only constant in a riverine ecosystem is tion in 2014. Its findings are change. Rising and falling water levels and water quality, chemical substances, fish essential for understanding the the permanent shift of sand and gravel are population, and many other areas. Our indicator Danube River and to develop characteristic of natural rivers, allowing the species ultimately helped focus attention on measures that will improve emergence of steep banks or sand and gravel morphological changes. its water quality in both che- islands which come and go. Home to a variety DANUBEPARKS monitoring confirms that only mical and ecological terms. DANUBEPARKS of native flora and fauna, these vital ecosystems contributed to JDS3 through a study on river those sections of the Danube which remain nearly have been brought to the brink of extinction across dynamics and morphology – key aspects for untouched are suitable habitats for characteristic Europe by intervention in the form of damming, vital river ecosystems. A valuable partner at animal species. Cooperation within the framework 6 the interphase of nature and society, DANUBE- straightening and river regulation. DANUBEPARKS of the ICPDR Joint Danube Survey should lead PARKS also helped us to increase public aware- puts the protection of river dynamics at the heart to enhanced awareness on political level for the ness and spread information on JDS3 beyond of our work, because this is the only way to ensure significance of river dynamics, and the needs for the scientific community.“ the long-term preservation of a biodiverse and vital protection and restoration. Ivan Zavadsky, riverine environment. ICPDR Executive Secretary Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin are ideal • Danube-wide monitoring of Little-ringed indicators of an intact river morphology. In ­Plover and Sand Martin, including several 2011 they were the subject of a Danube-wide ­tributaries, in the frame of the JDS3 monitoring project which has now been expanded to include the Drava, Sava and Prut tributaries. • Awareness-raising through multi-day boat Actions trips, topical presentations, and specialized excursions • Planning of pilot project focusing on sediment balance and restoration • Concept for a habitat corridor based on ­dynamic Danube islands • Cross-sectorial workshops with NEWADA, the Network of Waterway Administrations at the Danube • Drafting of a river morphology action plan ➊ xxxx ➋ xxxxx ➌ xxxxx ➍ xxxxx

➑ ➊➌ ➊➍ ➋➏

➑

➎ ➊➏ 7 ➑ ➑

➐

➎ xxxxxx ➏ xxxxx ➐ xxxxx ➑ xxxxx Preserving dynamics

Although the Little Ringed Plover and the Sand Martin may at first look appear insignificant, the task which has emerged from the Danube-wide survey is indeed far reaching: 1. Protection of near-natural river sections on the Danube and its tributaries; the Lower and Middle 200 % vergrößert Danube in particular are still monumental natural gems. 2. Revitalisation of areas which have already been massively changed: here, ambitious projects can 8 show us the way! 3. Efforts to maintain an intact sediment balance, because only when a river can shift and store sufficient gravel and sand is it an intact river. 4. Finally: stimulating enthusiasm on the part of the public for river dynamics, because behind the technical jargon lies a wealth of experiential sites. River dynamics create gorgeous recreational spaces and are a necessity for sustainable flood protection. Rivers cannot be tamed! Wild Island Habitat Corridor other land users in follow-up projects and will be Stakeholder integration implemented step by step. In its WILDisLAND initiative DANUBEPARKS People interested in knowing more about research focusses on protection of the natural Danube Pilot projects: sediments and into riverine landscapes and experiencing the islands. These gravel and sand banks are of ­restoration fascination of dynamic rivers at first hand had extreme importance and require special protection. a lively programme to choose from: a three- Allowing Mother Nature to do her work means The Hungarian Duna-Dravá National Park has been day rubber dinghy wilderness tour in Austria; more wilderness, and this is the motto of the able to focus interest on a section of the Drava a special excursion which also included topical initiative to establish a Danube Wild Island habitat thanks to its revitalisation concept of a tributary. presentations at a festival in Hungary; and work corridor. The concept drafted under the leadership The plan offers a good foundation for concrete carried out together with a youth nature protection of Persina Nature Park, protecting some of the steps leading to the improvement of the habitat. group in Bulgaria were all able to stimulate largest Danube islands, calls for cooperation The Duna-Ipoly National Park designed a pilot enthusiasm for a lively river. with waterways authorities, navigation and study in which sediment took centre stage, asking: Rivers in general, and the Danube in particular, are 9 how can river engineering infrastructure on the where many diverging interests and claims often riverbed (e.g. groynes to facilitate navigation) be collide. In order to obtain whenever possible the “The Danube River is a designed to ensure as little disturbance as possible best balance of interests, avoid conflicts, and backbone for biodiversity in to the sediment balance? Is it possible to optimise produce win-win situations in river management,

Voices South-East Europe. Danube planning in such a way as to create a win-win DANUBEPARKS has teamed up with NEWADA Protected Areas manage and situation? Duo, the Network of Danube Waterway protect the most valuable Administrations. More joint activities are planned. sites and habitats. The aim of DANUBEPARKS to foster a coherent management prac- tice, and initiatives like the Wild Island Habitat Corridor contribute significantly to develop the Danube as a large-scale ecological corridor.“

Florian Ballnus, Coordinator of the Priority Area 6 (Biodiversity) of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region Flagship Species White-tailed eagle

flagship species for wetland forests. The “Action Public participation “The White-tailed Eagle is an Plan for the Conservation of the White-tailed excellent flagship species for Eagle along the Danube” developed in the first An invitation was extended to the general public in many Protected Areas to “look over the Voices transnational biodiversity con- DANUBEPARKS project forms the foundation for servation in the Danube region. the conservation activities implemented in 2013 shoulders” of nature experts by way of special Protected Areas play a pivotal and 2014. excursions and events, all of which help focus eyes role for the conservation of this on these “Kings of the Skies.” magnificent bird. The fruitful In January 2014, the Protected Areas joined up A Eurovision Song Contest-like excitement was co-operation among DANUBE- with experts from BirdLife, WWF and other NGOs in the air at the well-attended evening event PARKS and NGOs like the WWF Danube-Car- to organise the first Danube-wide winter count of pathian Programme contributes significantly to the White-tailed Eagle. Around 3000 kilometres, organised at the Donau-Auen National Park, where preserving the Danube‘s rich natural values.“ 300 mainly volunteer counters, and 3000 hours transnational monitoring results were collected. Live hook-ups to White-tailed Eagle experts in all Andreas Beckmann, Director of the spent braving wind and cold – but the effort was 10 the Danube countries truly brought the Danube- WWF Danube Carpathian Program worth it: the Danube is an important winter habitat for 750 eagles! As the first ever Danube-wide wide cooperation to life. Excellent media coverage report on the over-wintering areas of the species, underscored the significance of transnational cooperation for the protection of this species. Counters, 300: Eagles 750 it is an essential instrument in planning future protection measures. Results have also been The White-tailed Eagle needs large natural spaces published in the White-tailed Eagle database set up and undisturbed areas for breeding. The complex by DANUBEPARKS in 2011. • Organization of the first Danube-wide White- demands this bird places on its habitat makes it a tailed Eagle winter count • Public participation events in several coun-

tries Actions • Drafting of an implementation plan for White- tailed Eagle conservation in the Protected Areas • Promotion of the White-tailed Eagle Data- base • Collaboration with nature protection NGOs ➊ xxxx ➋ xxxx ➌ xxxx ➍ xxxx

➊ ➋ ➎➊➌ ➎ ➎ ➎

➑ ➎ ➊ ➍ ➏➎ 11 ➎ ➎

➎ ➊

➎ ➐

➎ xxxx ➏ xxxx ➐ xxxx ➑ xxxx Flagship Species Black Poplar

Variability of European Black Poplar (

Populus nigra L.) in the Danube Basin / 1

DANUBE PARKS Poplars Area in order to preserve the genetic enhanced cooperation between variability of the Black Poplar. nature conservation and forestry on a The Black Poplar is THE giant of the Danube river In the Slovakian Danube wetlands and Danube-wide level. ecosystem. These powerful and gnarled trees the Bulgarian Rusenski Lom Nature In order to promote protection of the give the landscape personality and provide shelter, Park, reforestation measures have powerful and impressive Black Poplar, nesting places and nourishment for many other already been undertaken with local selected trees have been designated animal species. Yet these softwood riparian Black Poplar seedlings. These as “DANUBEPARKS Giants.” A sign to trees have lost a dramatic amount of territory in activities should reverse the trend this effect should direct visitor attention the past 100 years throughout Europe. Intensive by enabling wetland forests to to these prime specimens and by way of forestry practices, the loss of suitable and natural reconquer the space they originally a QR code, offering additional information regeneration areas, and hybridisation with poplars inhabited along the Danube. via the DANUBEPARKS website. from forestry plantations have continued to beset 12 the Black Poplar. International Forest Conference • Danube-wide mapping of Black Poplars Danube-wide cadastre The Black Poplar conference held in April 2014 in Novi Sad, Serbia, was the ideal opportunity • Genetic and morphological testing Black Poplars were counted in all the Danube for experience exchange, with the presentation of the Black Poplar in 8 countries Protected Areas, and the cadastre has now been Actions of results from mapping and genetic analysis, • Publications on the genetic variability published online at the DANUBEPARKS website. conclusions obtained in pilot projects, and ideas of the Black Poplar on the Danube What is more, 30 trees in each Protected Area for increasing awareness. Forestry and Protected were genetically and morphologically tested. The • Black Poplar conference for the promotion Area managers as well as representatives from final report on the Black Poplar underlines the of cooperation between nature conservation NGOs from the entire Danube region attended. necessity of active intervention in every Protected and forestry The conference thus laid the foundation for • Reforestation activities for the Black Poplar in Slovakia and Bulgaria

• Designation of outstanding Black Poplar specimens as “DANUBEPARKS Giants”

• Design of mobile information on the Black Poplar via QR code

• Presentation of the Black Poplar cadastre at the DANUBEPARKS website 13 Tourism and Education

of high quality are essential in order to reach Future joint projects should heed these quality “The EU Strategy for the these educational goals. Taking all Danube-wide guidelines and work pro-actively to achieve them, Danube Region is based on the activities into account, efforts should be made to step by step.

Voices idea that common challenges promote one another and to offer complementary -whether environmental, eco- programmes in terms of content. nomic or security related- are The goal of an to organisations best tackled in cooperation. assessment tour DANUBEPARKS is an excel- along the Danube offering environmental lent example of an integrated education was to prepare future cooperation • Concept development of a common approach to deal with biodiversity and sustai- projects and learn from the various organisers. DANUBEPARKS visitor centre nable tourism in the Danube, also contributing More than 40 organisations were visited in only to the promotion of the beauty and benefits of three weeks, with tours of facilities and interviews • Programming and installation of digital 14 cooperation to the wider public.“ with the respective directors. Based on these “Info Corners” in existing visitor centres Anna Repullo-Grau, insights, quality guidelines were developed for • Carrying out of exploratory assessment tour European Commission, environmental education programmes in the • Drafting of quality guidelines DG Regional and Urban Policy Danube Protected Areas. The results have been published in “Environmental Education in • Development of nature tourism programmes for people with disabilities (Germany) Monitoring Awareness Building Protected Areas along the Danube - Report on the Assessment Tour and Quality Guidelines • Gathering of good-practice examples of

The Protected Areas play a special role in creating for Environmental Education.” The map to the nature tourism for people with disabilities Tourism Nature Actions: awareness of environmental issues, particularly right also offers best-practice examples and an and first actual experience with the topic among local populations and tourists. Programmes overview of the sites visited. (Hungary) • Analysis of carrying capacities in the Protected Areas (Germany, Romania)

• Creation of a database with approaches/ solutions to issue of nature protection versus recreational use

• Active membership in the Danube Competence Centre ➊ A nature park train assures sustainable ➋ The National Park Brand for local products sup- ➌ Events in the local villages assure local ➍ Training for teachers as guides mobility in the Nature Park Obere Donau port sustainable regional development in Hungary participation in the Slovak Danube floodplains in Futura Mosonmagyarovar

1 3 2 4

5 8

6 15

7

Innovative outdoor fishery Integration of architectural heritage Fibreglass models instead ➎ ➏ ➐ xxxxxxx exhibition in Duna-Drava NP in Lonjsko Polje NP of stuffed animals in Persina NP ➑ One Centre for All How Many People Can Nature Bear? Accessible Nature for All

The Danube Bend, located north of Budapest, The idea that there are limits to carrying capacity A change of perspective is required when it comes is one of the most important tourist destinations plays a major role when it comes to nature-friendly to making nature tourism and environmental on the river and the planned site of the future tourism activities. How many visitors can visit a education programmes accessible to people DANUBEPARKS visitor centre. An exhibit will Protected Area without endangering the very with disabilities. Only after actually working underscore the Danube’s significance as a things it is meant to protect? How can we channel together with people with physical, mental and/ shared, interconnected habitat for all the Danube visitors towards those activities that ensure or cognitive disabilities can we know how best to countries. An outdoor nature path will mirror the an enjoyable experience of nature without any accommodate their particular requirements and Danube’s course and allow visitors to “walk” negative impact on our natural treasures? adapt our visitor offers accordingly. all the different Danube Protected Areas. As The Danube Riparian Forest Neuburg-Ingolstadt At Danube Riparian Forest Neuburg-Ingolstadt, a coordinator, the Duna-Ipoly National Park is playing and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve week-long camp was organised for persons with 16 a lead role in realising this ambitious project. served as pilot areas in a project aimed at finding disabilities along with staff of an association for In order to show the interconnectedness of the preliminary answers on how to address this disabled persons in order to develop programmes Danube Protected Areas at present, the Djerdap complex issue. Insights gained in the project were together. At the Duna-Dráva National Park, an National Park headed up a project to develop conveyed to partners by way of workshops, and a event devoted to illuminating good-practice digital “Info Corners” for existing visitor centres. database now contains learning experiences and examples in this area was organised. These touchscreen exhibits offer information points to possible solutions which minimise the The newly-developed programmes were about DANUBEPARKS and the individual Protected conflict between sensitive species and tourism. subsequently tested with the association for Areas. disabled persons as well as with the responsible persons in the Protected Areas. May these efforts lead to nature being accessible to all! Communication

Using the Power of Persuasion of 2013 through six Danube countries. For its • Kick-Off Meeting in Ingolstadt 15-year anniversary in 2014, the best works of The natural treasures of the Danube belong to recent years were presented at the European • Final Conference in Budapest us all! DANUBEPARKS continues to stimulate Commission in Brussels; Romanian Agriculture • Drafting of a communication plan enthusiasm for the sheer magnificence of nature Actions Commissioner Dacian Ciolos gave the opening as well as understanding of the more “hidden” • Continuous press work and monitoring of speech. press clippings gems to be found along the Danube. Lasting publications • Publication of Danube Inside Magazine Annual highlights in this regard were again the Danube Festivals. The 2013 festival in Tulcea DANUBEPARKS can also be experienced in both • Development of an online photo archive took place in cooperation with RowMania, with black and white and stunning colour: the new work • Organization of the transnational Chance for Delta native and canoe legend Ivan Patzaichin Title Underlined Here presents the full glory of the the Blue Danube art competition and travel- assuming the role of champion and sponsor. The Danube Protected Areas. This illustrated book will ling exhibition information stands and programmes offered by the 17 not only promote awareness of the many natural Protected Areas were eagerly received by local and • Organization of two Danube Festivals, in Tul- gems to be found along the Danube, but also international visitors. cea and Backi Monostor encourage readers to actually visit them. In Backi Monostor, Serbia, the 2014 Danube • Production of promo materials like bags, Yet time never stands still. The DANUBEPARKS shirts, pens, pins, maps, etc. Festival was held jointly with the Bodrog Festival, calendar for January 2014 - June 2015 has already a transnational event known and loved far • Study visits and staff exchanges among the been distributed to partners and stakeholders beyond the country’s borders. The importance Protected Areas and for external experts in the Protected Areas. Thus visitors and policy of preserving nature along the Danube and the • Presentation of the project at numerous makers will be reminded of DANUBEPARKS necessity of cooperation were the focus of the external conferences projects for a long time. event. • Permanent updating of website and map with information about new partners Art for nature • Elaboration of a DANUBEPARKS Book and a The painting competition “A Chance for the Blue DANUBEPARKS photo exhibition Danube” was again carried out with international • Publication of a DANUBEPARKS calendar participation. The exhibit travelled in the summer • Distribution of six external newsletters

• Monthly internal newsletters Partnership as the key for successful work

A network consists not only of organisations, The islands of the Bulgarian Danube are especially the park’s efforts, the Danube-wide monitoring of but above all of people. These last two pages are important stepping stones in the ecological the Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martin could be dedicated to all those whose active and productive corridor of the Danube. Persina Nature Park, carried out on the Sava for the first time. contributions support this working partnership. where some of these islands may be found, The Gornje Podunavlje Nature Reserve is Two-thirds of the Danube Delta lies in Romania. has undertaken a detailed planning for the found in the triangle formed by Hungary, Croatia The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve protects conservation of islands both inside and outside the and Serbia; this Serbian reserve is maintained the largest wetlands of the Danube, one of park’s borders as part of an action plan on river by the provincial forestry administration of Europe’s most important. With a survey and morphology. Vojvodinašume. Black Storks and numerous other transferable methodology on limits to carrying The impressive Djerdap Gorge lies where the birds nest here thanks to the area’s expansive capacity, the reserve has taken a significant Danube parts the Carpathians. Together with forests. The reserve’s competence in matters step in uniting nature conservation and tourism Romanian partners, the Djerdap National Park of forestry management was of significance to 18 throughout the entire network. works to protect native species. As an important DANUBEPARKS in the Danube-wide evaluation of Located on the tributary Rusenski Lom, the tourist destination, the park has led the way in the Black Poplar population and the organisation of Rusenski Lom Nature Park protects a scenic developing digital “Info Corners” for the Protected a forestry management conference. canyon, a habitat for many cliff-breeding birds and Areas along the entire Danube. Another triangle partner, Kopački-rit Nature bats. The park is also in charge of the protected The Lonjsko Polje Nature Park lies on the Sava Park, protects the expansive wetlands where the site Kalimok-Brushlen, where a Black Poplar in Croatia and is characterised by a meandering Drava meets the Danube. This area is of particular reforestation project has been implemented – an and natural lowlands river landscape. Use of the importance for the White-tailed Eagle, and it is here important showcase project for the entire Danube land in the surrounding areas has been adapted where the highest density of nesting pairs may be region. to the natural conditions of wetlands. Thanks to found. Thus it is natural that Kopački-rit assumed a lead role in the winter count of the species; they will showcase the ecology of all Danube Protected last free-flowing sections of the Upper Danube. also organised a preparatory workshop in tandem Areas. As lead partner, it is responsible for coordinating with their Hungarian partners. Fertö-Hanság National Park is responsible for the activities of all project partners. Thanks to The Hungarian Duna-Dráva National Park the administration of the Szigetköz Landscape many years of experience in river revitalisation in also lies on the confluence of the Danube and Protection Area along the border of Hungary/ collaboration with waterways authorities, the park the Drava, which forms the natural boundary to Slovakia which protects the last remaining and plays a major role in cross-sector cooperation with Croatia. Thanks to its many years of experience in once largest inland delta of the Danube. Through navigation stakeholders. river morphology and revitalisation, this park was the integration of this Protected Area, all Danube- The Danube Riparian Forest Neuburg- the one to submit a revitalisation plan for a sidearm wide activities can now be implemented on a Ingolstadt bordering the Ingolstadt dam has of the Drava as part of the river morphology action transnational basis in this region as well, meaning been the subject of a complex revitalisation by plan; it also expanded the Danube-wide monitoring an important gap has now been closed. a network including the administrative district of the Little Ringed Plover and the Sand Martin on The Slovakian NGO BROZ has dedicated itself to of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen and the city of 19 the Drava. the revitalisation and conservation of Dunajské Ingolstadt. In addition to organising an assessment Located in Hungary, the Duna-Ipoly National luhy (Slovak Danube floodplains) and Záhorie trip to facilities for environmental education, the Park is the second in the network to unite the Landscape Protection Areas on the banks of the area developed a tourism offer for people with Danube with the Carpathians and thus protects Morava. BROZ has carried out another successful disabilities. very unique habitats. As an important tourist model project entailing reforestation measures destination, this park has developed a concept for with Black Poplars and other native tree species. a common DANUBEPARKS visitor centre that is Extending from Vienna to Bratislava, the Austrian to be built here at the Danube Bend; the centre Donau-Auen National Park protects one of the 1 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve 2 Srebarna Nature Reserve 3 Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Site 4 Rusenski Lom Nature Park 5 Persina Nature Park 6 Djerdap National Park 7 Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve 8 Kopački rit Nature Park 9 Lonjsko Polje Nature Park 10 Duna-Dráva National Park 11 Duna-Ipoly National Park 12 Dunajské luhy Protected Landscape Area 13 Záhorie Protected Landscape Area 14 Donau-Auen National Park 15 Donauauwald Neuburg Ingolstadt

c/o Donau-Auen National Park Schloss Orth, 2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria [email protected], www.danubeparks.org