More than 80 percent consider "binding rules" necessary. "The forest is for everyone," said board spokesperson Georg Schöppl on Monday, but fairness and consideration are important.

The forest holds the greatest personal significance for recharging and unwinding (67 percent), as stated at a press conference in Vienna. It is also appreciated as a "green lung" and oxygen reservoir (60 percent), used for outdoor activities (59 percent), and seen as a habitat for animals and plants and important for biodiversity (58 percent). For nearly half of the population, forests are important as a cool environment on hot days and as a CO2 reservoir in climate change.

Forest Attracts Austrians

"Six out of ten Austrians visit the forest several times a month, and nine out of ten feel generally better after a visit to the forest," reported Schöppl. The most popular activities include walking or hiking (82 percent). Every second person wants to relax (48 percent). Only about one in six (16 percent) runs or trains there, 13 percent are on mountain bikes or bicycles, six percent go on ski tours or snowshoe hikes, and two percent ride horses.

However, 64 percent of survey participants also feel that more people are in the forest, with 27 percent even strongly agreeing - about twice as many as in 2021 with twelve percent. About two-thirds have the impression that others adhere to the rules, although absolute agreement has significantly decreased (18 percent "strongly agree" versus 30 percent in 2021). Clear rules for cycling or mountain biking (70 percent) and for being out with dogs (68 percent) are considered particularly necessary.

Change Since Corona

The use of forests for recreation and leisure has subjectively and objectively increased significantly since the Corona period, confirmed Schöppl. In addition to mutual consideration, a "separation" of the different activities is necessary: "Mountain biking and walking on the same area do not really go well together."

78 percent agree that the most important challenge is the climate crisis. 87 percent see the crucial role of species-rich forests in this. "We are continuing to work with all our might on transforming the forests into species-rich mixed forests that can cope with the climatic conditions and help us in tackling the climate crisis," said Andreas Gruber, ÖBf board member for forestry and nature conservation.

In the anniversary year, the Federal Forests are establishing the "Forest of the Future Advisory Board" for this purpose. Experts in climate, ecosystems, biodiversity, and nature conservation are to accompany the "transformation." Rupert Seidl, who holds the chair for ecosystem dynamics and forest management at the Technical University of Munich, serves as chairman.

15 Percent of the Forest Area

With 850,000 hectares, the Federal Forests are the largest natural area manager in the country: They take care of ten percent of the state area, including 74 of the larger lakes, and 15 percent of the forest area. Economically, the company operates in the business fields of forestry and timber industry, hunting and fishing, real estate, services, and renewable energy. The ÖBf AG is wholly owned by the Republic and employs 1,032 staff in 14 forestry and national park operations and the company headquarters located in Purkersdorf in the Vienna Woods.

(APA/Red)

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