WALD:WELTEN IM ÖSTERR. FORSTMUSEUM

The Austrian Forestry Museum Silvanum in Landl/Großreifling presents a comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the topics of forests, forestry and regional history. However, the existing premises still offer potential for expansion. As the largest nature park and only UNESCO Global Geopark in Styria, the Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark is a multifaceted experience area in which natural areas, forests and cultural landscapes are central.

The region currently lacks an interactive exhibition that conveys the current state of the natural areas and the developments of the last two to three decades. In view of the ongoing threat posed by climate change, raising awareness is of crucial importance. Future exhibition projects should address issues relating to forest management, forest management and the future of tree species and forest ecosystems in the Eisenwurzen.

The planned project has two main objectives:

Bringing history to life in the forest

The exhibition is intended to give visitors a personal connection to the special features of the region in order to promote their understanding and support for its preservation. Interactive elements offer practical implementation options and tips for promoting biodiversity in a small space. Topics such as climate change in the forest and near-natural forest management are linked and made tangible for visitors.

Presentation of climate-relevant aspects of forests and nature parks

The exhibition focusses on the role of the forest in the context of the nature park, the climate and society. Future-orientated aspects such as near-natural forest management and the effects of climate change on weather, soil, biodiversity and ways of life in the Styrian Eisenwurzen are dealt with. The interactive design of the nature park landscape is intended to appeal to both typical nature park visitors and new target groups.
Through these objectives, the exhibition is intended not only to impart knowledge, but also to raise awareness of the importance of natural areas and encourage visitors to actively contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.

Project period: 01.03.2024 – 31.5.2025

Methodology
Our exhibition is based on a rough interactive plan that uses the latest educational methods to present the topics of forests, biodiversity and climate change in a didactically appealing way. By means of storytelling, we aim not only to inform, but also to create an emotional connection with the visitors.

Networking and synergies
In order to create a seamless connection between the three exhibition areas and standardise the communication methods, we have implemented digital communication options such as augmented reality (AR) on the first two floors. This creates a unified experience where visitors can receive additional information using smartphones or tablets. This makes it possible to bring exhibits to life through videos, computer animations and audio files.

Exemplary AR applications

We have integrated various AR applications on the three floors to engage visitors interactively:

• Experience forest species with VR glasses and 3D videos
• Visualise surveying techniques with a theodolite (e.g. through videos)
• Explain how a training machine works using AR
• Visualise a lumberjack’s hut and the life of lumberjacks using AR and videos
• Stories from modern forestry workers about their work in the forest
• Bringing a model of a timber transport on the water to life with video graphics
• Visualisation of a hermitage using AR
• Explain pilot mallet with video and play historical song
• Illustrate the functions of a timber rake using AR
• Bringing a large-scale timber transport system and cable railway to life in AR

Main topics

The exhibition covers various focal points that link historical aspects with current challenges:

• Origin of the forest
• Natural forest islands in commercially utilised forests
• Forest creatures – endemic species of the region
• Changes to the forest in the region – looking back and looking ahead to challenges such as the bark beetle in the context of climate change
• Gorge forests of the Eisenwurzen and their special biodiversity
• Climate change adaptation: neophytes and neozoa – opportunities and threats
• Water storage and filter function of the forest
• Forest as a recreational factor – Who owns the forest?

Through these diverse topics, we would like to sensitise visitors to the importance of the forest and encourage discussion about current and future challenges.

With the support of the BML and the European Union