International expert in nature conservation and protected area management
Michael Jungmeier, FH Prof. Dr. Mag., born in Innsbruck in 1965, is an ecologist and human geographer. Since 2019, he has held the professorship for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences. In 2020, he was also awarded the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Management of Conservation Areas. His research focuses on human-environment relationships, current challenges in nature conservation in the 21st century and the development of protected area management at an international level.
Jungmeier is co-founder of the consulting and research company E.C.O. Institute for Ecology in Klagenfurt. He heads the Master's programme in Management of Conservation Areas at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences and the certificate course in Nature Conservation. Numerous research projects and publications document his comprehensive commitment to the sustainable development of protected areas.
With his many years of experience at the interface of science, nature conservation practice and social participation, Jungmeier is looking forward to his new responsibility: ‘Nature conservation can only succeed if knowledge becomes understandable, reaches people and brings about change. I am looking forward to contributing my experience in research and protected area management and, together with Blühendes Österreich, setting new impulses for biodiversity and natural spaces in Austria.’
New impulses for Blühendes Österreich
Robert Nagele, CEO of BILLA AG and Blühendes Österreich, confirms: ‘With Dr. Michael Jungmeier, Blühendes Österreich gains a scientifically outstanding personality who is internationally networked and thinks about nature conservation with a strong practical approach. We are delighted to welcome Michael Jungmeier to the board.’
Erich Szuchy, CEO of BILLA AG, adds: ‘At BILLA, we have been working with Blühendes Österreich for years to promote nature conservation. The expansion of the board is an important signal that we will continue to pursue this path consistently and actively fulfil our responsibility for biodiversity and habitats in the future.’
BirdLife Austria also welcomes the move. Gabor Wichmann, Managing Director of BirdLife Austria and Chairman of Blühendes Österreich, explains: ‘The partnership between Blühendes Österreich and BirdLife is based on a shared understanding that nature conservation must be long-term and evidence-based. Michael Jungmeier's commitment to habitats worthy of protection is an important impuls for all those who are committed to the future of native species.’
Farewell after a decade: Thanks to Peter Huemer
At the end of 2025, Peter Huemer will step down from the board of Blühendes Österreich. The Tyrolean butterfly expert has shaped the work of Blühendes Österreich since its foundation in 2015. Huemer is one of the world's leading butterfly experts. His scientific expertise will remain available to Blühendes Österreich.
Under Huemer's leadership, research findings on butterflies have been made accessible to a wide audience. His commitment was instrumental in the development of the ‘Butterflies of Austria’ app, which is now used by more than 29,000 users, as well as in the publication of the Ausgeflattert I to III reports and the Aufgeflattert report, which document the status of native butterflies.
‘Blühendes Österreich has given me the opportunity to bring what appears to be a niche topic into the mainstream. When I started this work, I could never have imagined that thousands of people would now be actively collecting data on butterflies and thus contributing to the protection of these fascinating creatures. It shows how much can be achieved when science, commitment and enthusiasm come together,’ says Peter Huemer happily.
Blühendes Österreich – BILLA charitable private foundation
BILLA AG and BirdLife Austria have launched a joint initiative for biodiversity, nature conservation and climate protection with Blühendes Österreich – BILLA charitable private foundation. Blühendes Österreich has financed 300 partners and initiatives since 2015. This has made a measurable contribution to the improvement and restoration of over 1,300 hectares of biotopes that are valuable in terms of nature conservation. The European Commission honoured Blühendes Österreich with the prestigious NATURA 2000 Award in 2022. With the citizen science project ‘Butterflies of Austria – schmetterlingsapp.at’, Blühendes Österreich is funding one of the largest butterfly projects in Europe.
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