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Breitenlee: Vienna's new Natura 2000 nature reserve!
On November 12, 2025, Breitenlee will become Vienna's sixth Natura 2000 protected area to promote biological diversity.
Breitenlee: Vienna's new Natura 2000 nature reserve!
Vienna is committed to nature conservation: Breitenlee becomes a Natura 2000 area
The Vienna state government has given the green light for the designation of Breitenlee as the city's sixth Natura 2000 protected area. This is intended to send a powerful signal for nature conservation, especially in the area of the former marshalling yard. Breitenlee now joins existing areas such as the Donau-Auen National Park and the Lainzer Tiergarten and actively contributes to the preservation of biological diversity in Vienna. This reports MyDistrict.
Aim of the measures
Comprehensive unsealing and renaturation measures are planned on an area of around 90 hectares. The city of Vienna acquired the site from the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) in 2025. Effective use of the federal biodiversity fund supports this project. The goals include breaking up sealed areas, eliminating invasive plant species and creating new habitats, for example for amphibians and wild bees. The measures are part of a LIFE project financed by the EU and are intended to sustainably improve living conditions for various species.
The population is not left out. Planned participation formats offer citizens the opportunity to actively participate in the renaturation process and contribute their ideas. This participation not only benefits nature conservation, but also creates awareness of local environmental issues.
Background to Natura 2000
Natura 2000 is a Europe-wide network of protected areas that has been active for over 40 years. It was created to address the alarming degradation of nature in Europe. In recent decades, many natural habitats have been degraded or lost, a development driven by urbanization, economic activity and other factors. To counteract this, a set of rules was created that ensures the protection of numerous bird species as well as endangered animals and plants. The aim is to preserve Europe's unique biodiversity, which would otherwise be lost, it is reported Biodiversity.europa.eu.
A locally anchored project
With the redesignation of Breitenlee as a Natura 2000 area, Vienna is impressively showing how local projects can be part of a larger strategy to secure biodiversity. The focus on renaturation and protection is not only important for nature itself, but also for the quality of life of city residents. Initiatives like these make Vienna a pioneer in nature conservation and increase awareness of environmental issues among the population.
The approaches are clear: sustainable development should be promoted through close cooperation between the city administration, nature conservation organizations and the population. Breitenlee will not only be a place for relaxation, but also an example of successful nature conservation in urban areas.