World Ranger Day at the Kalkalpen National Park

Numerous rangers proved that even 39 degrees in the shade couldn’t deter them from their commitment to nature conservation. To mark World Ranger Day on July 31, the Upper Austrian National Park Rangers Association organized a volunteer effort for the sixth time. This year, the focus was on combating invasive plant species.

The annual fleabane (Erigeron annuus) is considered one of the rapidly spreading invasive species in Central Europe. It has also taken hold in some areas of the Kalkalpen National Park , along the forest trails. To prevent this annual or biennial herbaceous plant—which grows 50 to 100 centimeters tall and has white-yellow flowers—from displacing native species, the rangers removed hundreds of plants, roots and all. Even though some flower lovers felt sorry for the plant because of its striking flowers—after all, folklore claims it protects against slander (“Berufung”) and evil spirits—everyone agreed: the white bedstraw can fulfill this role elsewhere as well.

“I don’t want species that don’t belong here to spread,” said Ranger Maria. Like many others who took part in the event, she also appreciated the cheerful camaraderie while working. The organizers were pleased “that things really get done when nearly 20 people pitch in together.” And that’s exactly what happened: The result was a trailer full of ragweed—an impressive achievement. “It’s great that on World Ranger Day, work gets done in the national park that otherwise simply wouldn’t get done,” said Ranger Robert, emphasizing the value of the event.

Two rangers from the Donauauen National Park also took part in the nature conservation initiative, “in the spirit of cooperation among all national parks in Austria, which we’d like to promote anyway,” said Manfred Rosenberger of the Donauauen National Park. He, too, was delighted by the camaraderie among his colleagues, which culminated in a snack provided by the Austrian Federal Forest Service at the Große Klause.