Nationalpark Thayatal GmbH
Thayatal National Park is run as a limited liability company (GmbH = Ltd). The owners of the GmbH are the Republic of Austria, represented by the Federal Minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMKUEMIT) and the Province of Lower Austria, represented by the Governor. Since January 2018, Christian Übl, BSc, has been the sole managing director of the National Park.National Park House
The National Park House, situated between Merkersdorf and Hardegg, is the headquarters of the National Park administration and the first point of contact for visitors.Tasks
The primary tasks of the national park administration relate to nature conservation andmanagement measures, the development of educational activities, and the implementation of research projects.
How it works
Statutory & legal basis
The work of the National Park administration is based on several laws and regulations. The most important legal basis is the Lower Austria National Park Act, which also ensures that the regional population has a say and can participate in the implementation of measures.Management plan
The National Park administration carries out its tasks on the basis of a management plan which is to be drawn up by it and focus on a planning horizon of 10 years in each case. The current 2021 - 2030 management plan was created in consultation with the Province of Lower Austria, the federal government, the National Park Advisory Council and the National Park staff. It was adopted unanimously by the National Park Advisory Council and the technical committees in April 2021.It describes the objectives as well as the measures that will be implemented by 2030.
General meeting
Twice a year, representatives of the federal and provincial governments meet with the management of the National Park to decide on the work programme and the financial plan of the National Park administration, to assign the ongoing activities, and to issue the necessary approvals.- Consideration of regional interests
National Park Advisory Council and Committees
The National Park Advisory Council acts as an important link between the National Park administration and the population. Its aim is to safeguard regional interests, for example by making recommendations to the administration or by co-approving the annual plans.
The Advisory Council can also set up committees on various specialist topics, which can also consist of external experts. There are currently committees on hunting, fishing and infrastructure.
- Bilateral Thayatal Commission
Cross-border cooperation is very important in the Thayatal. A commission was set up specifically for this purpose and deals with bilateral issues at least once a year. Its members include representatives of the responsible ministries in Austria and the Czech Republic, representatives of the Province of Lower Austria and the district branch of the Ministry of the Environment in Brno, as well as the two chairmen of the National Park advisory councils and the two National Park directors.
- National Park Forum
At least one National Park Forum must be convened each year. It is freely accessible to all interested parties. It serves to inform the population of the National Park communities and to coordinate their interests with those of the National Park.
Managementplan 2021-2030[PDF, 194KB]