162 exemplary ecological communities and 80 show gardens in Lower Austria awarded

2023-07-23 11:16:24

LH Mikl-Leitner: “Municipalities ensure quality of life and environmental protection in Lower Austria with a lot of competence, commitment and passion”

St. Polten (OTS/NLK) – Provincial Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner: “Our municipalities ensure quality of life and environmental protection in Lower Austria with a lot of competence, commitment and passion. With the ‘Golden Hedgehog’ award from ‘Nature in the Garden’, the topic of public green space maintenance as well as climate, species and environmental protection is brought to the front of the curtain. Congratulations to the 162 communities across the state that had their extensive services certified last year. Likewise, our ‘nature in the garden’ show gardens are oases of well-being and inspiration for compatriots and tourists, of which 80 were also awarded.”

162 “Nature in the Garden” municipalities document and evaluate their services in public green space maintenance according to the criteria of the “Nature in the Garden” movement. This is to be understood as an obligation towards climate, species and environmental protection. As a result of the far-reaching measures, the 162 communities have now been awarded the highest award from “Nature in the Garden”, the “Golden Hedgehog”.

“Nine out of ten Lower Austrians are of the opinion that the natural design of public green spaces should be further expanded. Public green spaces are becoming increasingly important for the quality of life of our compatriots, especially in times of climate change. Thanks to 162 communities for their special commitment. Together with the hobby gardeners, Lower Austria is the number one ecological garden region in Europe,” emphasized Provincial Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner on the occasion of the awards.

“Nature in the garden” attaches great importance to biological diversity and design with native and ecologically valuable plants. The “Golden Hedgehog” is awarded to those communities and show gardens that meet the criteria of “Nature in the Garden” 100% over the course of a year, document their achievements and undergo an assessment.

Currently, 482 towns and municipalities from a total of 573 in Lower Austria maintain their green spaces exclusively with biological plant protection and work according to ecological weed management. This is an active sign of ecological awareness, biodiversity and environmental protection. These green spaces are often important places for a better quality of life for residents as well as for beneficial organisms.

But Lower Austria also offers a wide variety of garden experiences. This ranges from castle gardens, theme or adventure gardens, parks, private gardens, monastery and monastery gardens, fruit, vegetable and herb gardens to ecological garden shows. Every year, those show gardens that implement the three core criteria of ‘nature in the garden’ and convince in terms of quality and scope are awarded the popular “Golden Hedgehog” award.

“The success of 80 ‘Golden Hedgehogs’ in ‘Nature in the Garden’ show gardens is largely due to our great garden culture and the loving care of the show gardeners,” explains Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner on the occasion of the award.

Further information: Mag. Franz-Xaver Hebenstreit, press “Natur im Garten”, Tel. [phone], [e-mail]

Questions & contact:

Office of the Lower Austrian provincial government
State Office Directorate/Public Relations
Philip Hebenstreit
02742/9005-13632
[e-mail]
www.noe.gv.at/presse

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