On May 2, the new flagship project "KlimaSCHAUplätze" (Climate LOOKouts) was opened in Sparbach Nature Park under radiant spring weather. The project features a new trail with nine interactive stations that playfully and informatively demonstrate how climate change is affecting our forests and what roles a healthy forest fulfills. With this initiative, Sparbach Nature Park once again takes a pioneering role in combining nature, recreation, education, and regional cooperation.

Numerous honorary guests attended the event, including the President of the Lower Austrian Parliament, Karl Wilfing, Princess Tatjana von Lattorff, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of the Liechtenstein Group, Peter Durec, Environmental Councilor of the Municipality of Hinterbrühl, Julia Friedlmayer, Managing Director of the Austrian Nature Parks, and Michael Wollinger, Managing Director of Wienerwald Tourism.

Climate Balance Parcour: From left: Julia Friedlmayer (Austrian Nature Parks ), Thomas Rupp (Sparbach Nature Park), Hans Jörg Damm (Liechtenstein Group), Karl Wilfing (President of the Lower Austrian Parliament), Christine Janisch (Agency Message), Andreas Jäger (Meteorologist), Andreas Weiß (UNESCO-Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald), Michaela Aschenbrenner (Climate Alliance), Tatjana von Lattorff (Liechtenstein Group), seated: Susanne Käfer (Sparbach Nature Park)
© Norbert Novak

The approximately 3-kilometer-long trail is supported by an app that provides additional information and challenges through which "virtual wild boars" can be collected. The stations range from the "Climate Balance Course" and the "Keeling Curve" installation to demonstrations of water and CO₂ storage by forest and humus. Visitors receive a digital Climate LOOKouts certificate at the end. The project has been in development with the agency Message since 2022 and is funded through the Rural Development Program.

Karl Wilfing (right) with Christoph Hartleitner (LIECO) at one of the Climate LOOKouts stations focused on water retention in forest soil.
© Norbert Novak

Tatjana von Lattorff, Princess von und zu Liechtenstein, emphasized the importance of the project for the Liechtenstein family: "Climate change directly impacts the heart of our business activities: agriculture and forestry. When we think of the future, we don’t think in years or decades – but in generations. That’s why it’s so important to reach children and young people with such educational projects. Young people are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature. With this app-based approach, we speak their language – and make climate education accessible to a generation fit for the future."

From left: Head Forester Thomas Rupp, Susanne Käfer, Hans Jörg Damm, Princess Tatjana von Lattorff, Karl Wilfing
© Naturpark Sparbach/Norbert Novak

Karl Wilfing, President of the Lower Austrian Parliament, noted that the protection of nature has always been part of the Liechtenstein family's philosophy: "The Liechtensteins have always succeeded in conducting business – in harmony with nature and the population." Climate change, he said, is "fortunately" man-made. "This also gives us humans a great opportunity to actively take countermeasures."

Meteorologist and climate expert Andreas Jäger highlighted in his keynote the importance of effective climate communication to make the gradual nature of changes – the phenomenon of "shifting baselines" – visible: "We don’t have one, we have hundreds of solutions to climate change! But we have to make it tangible – and that’s exactly what’s happening here in Sparbach Nature Park."

Climate expert Andreas Jäger (centre) with Karl Wilfing and Susanne Käfer
© Naturpark Sparbach/Norbert Novak

As part of the official ceremony, Michaela Aschenbrenner from Climate Alliance Austria presented Sparbach Nature Park with a certificate as a Climate Alliance enterprise – a strong symbol of voluntary commitment to active climate protection. The Climate LOOKouts are now open to all visitors and are particularly used during guided tours for school classes, company events, and nature park activities. Because: education is the first step toward a climate-resilient future.

Signing of the Climate Alliance certificate: From left: Hans Jörg Damm, Michaela Aschenbrenner (Climate Alliance), Susanne Käfer, Thomas Rupp
© Naturpark Sparbach/Norbert Novak