The forest fulfils multiple tasks. It supplies wood, is home to many animals and plants, is essential for clean water and air and is of special importance for protection against natural hazards (=protective forest) in the mountains. The Austrian Forest Act ensures that all people are welcome to visit the forests by foot for recreational purposes. Careful behavior and certain "rules" are a basic requirement:
- We behave quietly and are mindful in the "living room" of wild animals.
- We put our dog on a leash.
- We take waste and leftovers with us.
- We pay attention to signs and follow them.
- We do not light fires and thus prevent dangerous forest fires.
- We stay on the trails when hiking and do not take shortcuts.
- We stay away from the forest in storms and weather extremes- danger to life!
- With the bike we stay on specially designated forest roads.
In the mountains the forest has a special importance: it protects us from natural hazards!