The WILDisland project set up an information stand to celebrate 20 years of Danube Day in Austria on June 17th, 2024.
The event was hosted by schlossORTH National Park Centre in Donau-Auen National Park, Austria. The motto this year was "Keep the Danube clean!" and the event offered 10 stations with varous experiments, displays and information provided by the Donau-Auen National Park, the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Austria, Stadt Wien, viadonau, Generation Blue and BOKU.
The WILDisland project station kids discovered the changes of the river banks once the embankment is removed and the wonderful species the revitalized Danube sections and wild islands host. We learnt more about the Little Ringed Plover, Beaver and the importance of river dynamics and gravel banks.
We shared our stands with our fellow-project Danube4all, which also takes place in the Donau-Auen National Park and also targets the revitalization of a over-sedimented island. Our colleagues from BOKU demonstrated ways to study sediment composition and transport in the Danube and how is this relevant to the riparian ecosystems and habitats.
The event was attended by a total 330 schoolchildren from Vienna and Lower Austria, welcomed by Section Head Monika Mörth and Susanne Brandstetter from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Executive Secretary of the ICPDR Birgit Vogel, National Park Director Edith Klauser, viadonau Managing Director Hans-Peter Hasenbichler and City of Vienna - Vienna Waters expert Thomas Kozuh-Schneeberger.
Unfortunately, the trash collection boat excursion along the Danube, which was supposed to be hosted by WILDisland and the Danube4all projects within the Danube Day on June 18th could not take place due to the high water levels.
Since 2004, Danube Day has put the uniqueness of the Danube at the centre of public attention. Every year in June, activities are organised in all Danube countries. Danube Day has also been celebrated in Austria for 20 years, focussing on children and young people.
Photo credit: Franc Kovacs/Donau-Auen NP
