APG symposia

This year’s two-day APG Nature Conservation Conference will take place in Lienz, East Tyrol, and will once again feature high-profile speakers from science, policy, and practice. As in previous years, the program will be complemented by two excursions, offering participants the opportunity to visit selected nature conservation and re-naturalization projects on site and engage in discussion with local experts.

The 2026 conference will focus on three thematic blocks:

Block 1: Temporary Nature – Dynamic Habitats as an Opportunity for Species Protection

The concept of temporary nature demonstrates that effective species protection does not always require permanent conservation measures. Temporary habitats on unused or fallow land allow nature to develop spontaneously, providing valuable — albeit time-limited — habitats for rare and endangered species. Such dynamic approaches increase ecological diversity and complement traditional conservation strategies by enabling temporarily available operational areas to be used for species protection without precluding their future use. International examples highlight the success of “temporary nature” concepts; however, clear legal frameworks and planning certainty for project proponents are essential prerequisites for implementation in Austria.

Block 2: EU Renaturation Regulation – Status and Practical Implementation

The EU Renaturation Regulation provides the overarching framework — but how far has implementation progressed in Austria, and what does it mean in practice? This block contrasts legal objectives with real-world applications. Renaturation is neither a new nor a purely theoretical concept. Many stakeholders — from federal states to infrastructure operators—already have extensive experience and proven approaches. Drawing on selected best-practice examples from various habitats, this session will demonstrate how renaturation measures can be successfully implemented also within the context of electricity grid infrastructure.

Block 3: Where Animals Maintain the Landscape – Grazing as a Tool for Greater Biodiversity

Extensive grazing is a well-established instrument for promoting biodiversity. Particularly intriguing are its applications in overhead line corridors: How do grazing projects work in these areas? What contributions do they make to connected structures? And what benefits do they offer for rare species and near-natural vegetation?

Please refer to the Save the Date document (available in German only) for the provisional event schedule. The detailed program and registration information will be published at the end of February 2026.

Participation in the presentations will be possible either on site or online via a free livestream.