CEI 2017: Salem/USA: Following Nature’s Example (3)

„Sustainable Measurements Supporting Ecosystems in the Alpine Region: Sustainable Wood Management”

Project Group Austria 3 

We  started an ecological geocaching project on sustainable Styrian wood management in cooperation with a local paper mill, the Technical University of Graz and Pro Wood Styria. We wanted to answer the following questions: Which adaptions to climate change do we find in forestry plant growth? Which type of wood is used for paper production? How does pulp and paper production use product cycles? What is the paper mill’s impact on the environment?

The visit of LIECO, a company that grows different species of trees adapted to European altitudinal belts showed, that climate change is a factor we have to deal with today. Water analysis activities were carried out at the river Pöls, that is providing the paper mill with water and work in the laboratory of the Technical University of Graz was done.
In autumn we will present our results in a geocache around the valley the paper mill is located.

An interview with Dr. Vogel, CEO ZPA Pöls, showed that the company also does research in cooperation with the technical University of Graz to enhance the use of substances being produced in pulp and paper production like the organic polymer lignin and the by-product tall oil.

The interview with the mayor of Pöls showed that there are sustainable efforts to deal with climate change.