Facts about nature park

Development milestones

Time travel through the Raised Bog of Schrems

The original state of this unique area was badly affected by peat extraction until the 1980s. Its development had started after the last ice age (about 10,000 years ago).Its importance, however, has only been recognized in recent decades. Today there are still a few natural bog forests and a number of bog habitats in the peaty areas. In the old peat basins you will find a mosaic of open water areas, siltation zones and other valuable raised bog regeneration stages.

Status of protection today

Today, the peat bog complex between the towns of Schrems, Gebharts and Langschwarza is a Natura 2000 area, part of the FFH area “Waldviertler Teich-, Heide- und Moorlandschaft” and the Ramsar area “Teichviertel, Moor- und Flusslandschaft Waldviertel”. 119 hectares were designated as a "Schremser Hochmoor" nature reserve in 2000 and declared a nature park.

Development milestones

early 19th century: starting exploitation by peat cutting

1818: allocation of the Schrems peat bog among 54 owners for peat cutting

1887 to 1980s: commercial production in the peat litter factory

1999: foundation of the Ramsar nature reserve

2000: 119 hectares put under nature protection and declared a nature park

2002: opening of the “Himmelsleiter” viewing platform (Lower Austrian Timber Construction Award)

2003 to 2006: restoration measures via LE project

2006: opening of the nature park center "UnterWasserReich"

2014: educational trail becomes “Lower Austria Thematic Trail of the Year”

2016: "Nature Park of the Year" award

2016: UnterWasserReich becomes "Lower Austria's top ?tourist/excursion? destination"

2017: foundation of the INTERREG project ConNat AT-CZ, peat bog of Schrems is integrated as a concept bog

2018: Nature Protection Award “Brennessel”

2019: creation of a management plan by Interreg project "ConNat"

2019: creation of a long-term nature park concept