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Breitenlee becomes a biodiversity oasis: new Natura 2000 area!
The city of Vienna declares Breitenlee a Natura 2000 area to protect biodiversity and promote habitats. Measures will begin in 2025.
Breitenlee becomes a biodiversity oasis: new Natura 2000 area!
The city of Vienna has taken a further step towards nature conservation: the area of the former Breitenlee marshalling yard in the Danube city is declared a Natura 2000 area. This conversion, decided on November 16, 2025, marks the sixth Natura 2000 region in Vienna to be designated under the EU Birds Directive and the Fauna-Flora-Habitats Directive. According to reports from 5min, this area has a high conservation value and is home to numerous rare plants and animals that find ideal living conditions here.
Unfortunately, there are also challenges. Invasive plant species and bush encroachment are at risk because the area is not adequately maintained. This makes the measures that the Vienna state government is planning to protect and further develop the area all the more important. Numerous actions are planned on around 90 hectares, including the unsealing of former commercial and infrastructure areas and the restoration of protected steppe habitats.
Planned measures in detail
The planned steps are comprehensive and promising. Among other things, this should:
- die Entsiegelung alter Flächen
- die Entfernung invasiver Pflanzenarten
- die Schaffung von offenen, artenreichen Flächen
- die Verbesserung der Lebensräume für Amphibien, Reptilien und Wildbienen
- die Etablierung einer nachhaltigen Weidelandschaft
The main purpose of these measures is to preserve the semi-open steppe structure in order to promote biodiversity and improve the landscape. The city purchased most of the unused station area in spring 2025, supported by the federal biodiversity fund.
Involvement of the population
Another key point is the involvement of the population in the development process of the area. Those responsible are planning various participation formats, including brainstorming, information events and tours, in order to actively involve residents in the design. This is not only useful, but also necessary to increase interest and awareness of nature conservation.
The Natura 2000 initiative is part of a comprehensive EU-wide conservation project that aims to counteract the decline of wild species and natural habitats. The European Birds Directive, which came into force in 1979, and the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive of 1992 play a central role here. Together they contribute to the designation and management of these areas worthy of protection, which are essential for biological diversity.
Several Natura 2000 areas have already been designated in Vienna, including the Vienna part of the Donau-Auen National Park and the Lainzer Tiergarten. With the new area in Breitenlee, the city is once again showing that it has a good knack for nature conservation and is actively committed to a species-rich environment. It remains to be hoped that the planned measures will be successfully implemented and the area will become a true oasis for flora and fauna. Further information about the Natura 2000 areas can be found at ORF Vienna and that Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.