The Austrian Biosphere Reserves. A (connoisseur’s) world beyond the cookery book

Abstract

In many instances the Austrian UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as model regions of sustainable development are outshone by other conservation categories, such as national parks or world heritage sites, and are largely unknown to the wider population. This shadowy existence is ill deserved. The modern concept of biosphere reserves (BRs) is more important today than it ever was if we want to maintain valuable cultural landscapes for later generations. The Austrian MAB National Committee therefore made it a priority to greatly increase the popularity of our BRs and to underline their significance for sustainability research. Moreover, efforts in this vein should involve young people. The project Vielfalt Genießen (Enjoying diversity) has been conceived as a three-stage programme, starting with a schools competition during the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, followed by the publication of an award-winning cookery book (The Austrian Biosphere Reserves. A Connoisseur’s World) and culminating in a BR training for students, lasting more than a year, carried out at the Landesberufsschule Waldegg (vocational college for the hotel and catering trades) and complemented with BR-related activities (BR recipes, information folder) in selected restaurants around Wienerwald BR.