Van der Bellen in Protection of Moor Forests
The President joins in the EU’s initiative for moor restoration
July 19th, 2024
An Austrian delegation including President Van der Bellen visited the Natura 2000 Area on the Rhine Delta as a step in joining the EU’s larger scale initiative for moor restoration.
In Austria there are around 3000 hectares of moor trees. Their protection is important due to the properties of moors to store carbon, provide flood protection and secure drinking water.
The preservation of moor forests is the main goal of the EU-funded LIFE project "AMooRe" which has a funding of 44 million euro. The project has a ten-year timeline in which it intends to enable extensive moor protection in Austria and to establish knowledge about moor restoration.
On the 18th of July, Austrian president Van der Bellen visited Natura2000 on the Rhine Delta, which is a part of the EU’s network of nature protection areas.
The President was accompanied by State Governor Barbara Schöbi-Fink, State Councillor Daniel Zadra ansd representatives of the neighboring communities of Hard, Fussach, Gaissau and Höchst.
Together they learned more about the "AMooRe" project.
The Rhine delta is the largest moorland area in Vorarlberg, Austria.
"Moors are fascinating and we urgently need them in the future. Anyone who protects moors also protects us humans," emphasized Van der Bellen.
"The fact that Vorarlberg is taking the lead in such a large and important renaturation project is of great importance. This is only possible through a strong partnership at all levels - from the EU to the federal government, the state and the municipalities.", said Schöbi-Fink.
