Biodiversity boost: co-producing citizen biotopes in an inhabited Alpine region

Global crises on biodiversity and social cohesion are looming. A pilot project in an Alpine NUTS2 region of the European Union translated these large-scale challenges into a real-world local activity involving more than 100 volunteers from the public, political, private, civic, and science spheres over 30 months. Inspired by the real-world laboratory (RwL) method, the “Citizen Biotopes” pilot in Tyrol, Austria, set out to strengthen native biodiversity in inhabited areas while fostering transdisciplinary research and learning, connectedness with nature, and a sense of community across sectors. Leading this pilot from 2023 to 2025, the regional environment agency empowered and engaged participants from civil society, municipalities, farms, businesses and science. Across the region, six local action groups were formed to restore and rewild public spaces such as street islands. In several seasons, participants co-produced 38 unique native plant habitats, harvesting seed from donor meadows, tending plants, and recording species observations. Natural scientists and experienced stakeholder engagement experts and social scientists serviced participants with knowledge and Know-how. The results are promising. Empirical, longitudinal research indicates participants’ appreciation for the blend of hands-on science-informed biodiversity care with learning and community building. Biodiversity literacy and a sense of agency increased significantly over the course of the project. The pilot suggests biodiversity as a promising exploratory theme for RwLs and considers the RwL methodology suitable for strengthening native biodiversity. Exemplifying how RwLs can catalyse local sustainability transitions by integrating transdisciplinary learning and practice, the Citizen Biotopes pilot intends to inspire further research and replication especially at the NUTS2 regional scale. Promote local cross-sectoral contact and co-production to advance both native biodiversity and social cohesion. Accompany cross-sectoral local action groups for biodiversity by both natural scientists and stakeholder engagement specialists. Measure impact on both biodiversity indicators and cross-sectoral learning and community effects. Introduce local biodiversity management in the curricula of municipal officials and building yards. Prototype real-world laboratories (RwLs) on native biodiversity in NUTS2 regions, inspired by the Citizen Biotopes approach.