LIFE WILDisland

The WILDisland project, which is funded under the LIFE program, focuses on the "wild islands" of the Danube. Across the Danube, ecologically particularly high-quality island structures are to be renaturalized and/or preserved close to nature so that they can fulfill their important function as ecological stepping stones in the Danube corridor.

Revitalisation Schwalbeninsel

viadonau is upgrading island and gravel structures in the national park stretch as part of the project. The measures are implemented in the area of ‘Schwalbeninsel’ (about river km 1891-1988, left bank, east of Vienna). Restoration measures are undertaken both on Swallow Island itself and along the main bank of the Danube.

Project outline of the envisaged revitalisation at Schwalbeninsel

Construction work for the revitalization is currently underway and is expected to continue until February 2027. Excavators and trucks are currently removing over 40,000 m³ of riprap. Once completed, Danube water will once again flow behind the islands and into the floodplain, and the riverbanks will be continuously reshaped by the natural force of the Danube. Shallow gravel banks will be created for important indicator species such as the common sandpiper, and wave-protected backwaters for typical Danube fish species like the nase and barbel.

Read more about the groundbreaking ceremony of construction work in our news section (only available in German).

The lower end of the Schwalbeninsel was fixed with riprap - Photo: viadonau

The riprap at the end of Schwalbenisel was removed down to low water level, a shallow gravel bank is forming naturally. ©viadonau/USC

The project contributes to the objectives of the Catalog of Measures for the Danube east of Vienna.

Key data of the LIFE project

Project partners: 15 project partners from eight Danube riparian states: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania under coordination of the Danube Floodplain National Park.
Project volume: approx. 14,2 million EUR (thereof approx. 65% co-financing from the EU LIFE funding program for nature and biodiversity).
Project start: 01/09/2021. Project end: 31/08/2027 (application for prolongation until 31.12.2028)

LIFE WILDisland - Danube Wild Island Habitat Corridor
Grant Agreement LIFE20 NAT/AT/000063

More on the official LIFE WILDisland Website: https://wildisland.danubeparks.org