Restoration of nationally significant semi-dry grasslands on the mid-slope of the Waschberg

The project at Waschberg (municipality of Leitzersdorf, located within the Natura 2000 site "Weinviertler Klippenzone"), submitted by the municipality of Leitzersdorf, concerns the restoration of one of the few remaining large areas of semi-dry grassland in the Weinviertel region. This valuable semi-dry grassland is, however, severely threatened by encroachment from shrubs.

Traditional land use practices such as grazing and mowing were abandoned approximately 60 years ago. Since 2019, successful restoration efforts (shrub clearance and conservation-compliant mowing) have been carried out for the first time in the summit and upper slope areas, bringing the once-annually mown meadows into a favorable conservation status. 

Although these activities ("preliminary work") took place on the same approximately 20-hectare property, they are geographically and in terms of objectives completely separate from the current project (subject of funding). 

The present project concerns the mid-slope area.