After years of intensive preparation, the Großes Walsertal was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Park in 2000.

This award fulfilled us with great pride but it also comes with a whole host of responsibilities. The UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve Program (MAB) was founded in 1977 to promote an interdisciplinary approach to research, training and communications in ecosystem conservation and the rational use of natural resources. A biosphere park is not just a natural space; it is also a living space and an economic area, an area where visitors hope to find authentic culture, traditions and customs.  The Großes Walsertal Biosphere Park Biosphere was created with the objective to demonstrate a balanced relationship between man and nature.

Partners

A partner program, the Biosphere Lable, was launched in 2002 to bring the biosphere park more to the people’s attention. A highly motivated team under the supervision of Prof. Hansruedi Müller from the Bern University developed a variety of “must” and “may” criteria for future partners. In 2002, 34 establishments instantly declared their willingness to cooperate with the biosphere park and meet all the established criteria. This was a great success in our endeavor to fill the park with life.

The Biosphere Park label is valid for two years. In 2004 all partner establishments were audited to ensure compliance with the quality standards. We were delighted that not only all partners wished to extend their membership with the Biosphere Park Label but that we could also win new ones. This clearly shows that the people not only understand the philosophy behind the Biosphere Park, they also live it.

In 2004 we launched the EcoMonte project to get as many tourist establishments to seek the Green Austrian Environmental Seal of Approval.  The results were more than pleasing: four of our partner establishments were immediately awarded the coveted green seal for their environmental efforts. This clearly shows that the concept of eco friendly tourism is growing in Großes Walsertal and that people are realizing that eco-friendly tourism is the only way to create sustainable income from tourism.

The Damüls-Faschina tourist board is proud of its partners and all other green-seal awarded establishments and wishes them great success in all their endeavors.