AMBRA Activities

Illustration   EVENT – April 16, 2026

Removal of Invasive Species Along the Saalach River

For several years now, dedicated volunteers have been gathering along the Saalach River to remove invasive species from the riverbanks. This time, project staff from the Interreg Italy-Austria AMBRA project at the University of Salzburg and the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences also participated.

Invasive non-native plants (giant hogweed, glandular impatiens, Canadian goldenrod, Japanese knotweed, etc.) spread very quickly because, unlike native plants, they have few or no species-specific pests and diseases due to their non-native status: They spread virtually “without natural predators.” And this is not without consequences:

  • Displacement of native plant species and thus a reduction in biodiversity
  • Health risks for humans and animals (allergic reactions, severe skin irritations, etc.)
  • Economic damage (loss of agricultural yields, costs for control/removal, …)

In recent years, renaturation and river widening measures for flood protection have been carried out along the Saalach in the area of the municipality of Wals-Siezenheim (south of the Siezenheim footbridge, river kilometer 5.3–7.3). The project culminates in the (re)vegetation of the riverbanks using native seeds. However, the invasive neophyte populations along the banks first had to be contained.

On April 16, a group of approximately 30 people (students and teachers from the  Hallein Fashion School, staff from the  Mountain and Nature Guard, members of the  Austrian Armed Forces, and staff from the AMBRA project) – supported by Karin Juriga ( waste and environmental consultant for the municipality of Wals-Siezenheim), the Walser transport and logistics company  VegaTrans, and the  State of Salzburg—gathered for a neophyte removal campaign along the Saalach River.

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Our energetic and cheerful AMBRA team – Franziska, Anna, and Alena

For the AMBRA project, however, this afternoon served another purpose: data and information were collected for the potential economic use of invasive plant species in biorefineries. And to put the circular economy into practice right away, some of the collected invasive plant species (goldenrod) were not disposed of but transported to the Hallein Fashion School for textile dyeing experiments.

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Here is the result of a successful afternoon!

Illustration    LONG NIGHT OF RESEARCH – April 24, 2026

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Long Night of Research

AMBRA will be participating in the  Long Night of Research on April 24, 2026, at the  Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (FH Salzburg) in Puch-Urstein.

Illustration   WORKSHOP – March 26, 2026

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Rethinking Biomass: The Bioeconomy in Salzburg

As part of the Interreg Italy-Austria AMBRA project, the University of Salzburg and the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences invited scientists and practitioners from various disciplines on March 24, 2026, to discuss innovative approaches to the sustainable use of regional biomass.

Following a keynote presentation on the bioeconomy and biorefineries, participants jointly discussed opportunities for (new) business models, biodiversity aspects, and raw material flows, as well as the challenges, potential risks, and barriers facing the bioeconomy. The interdisciplinary composition of the participants (from agriculture, municipalities, waste and environmental consulting, schools, and associations) yielded new perspectives and interesting networking opportunities on this topic. The results of the workshop will be incorporated into the measures of the AMBRA project.

We would like to sincerely thank all participants for their contributions to the discussion!

Illustration   PROJECT MEETING – March 16–17, 2026

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Third Project Meeting in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

The first day in Barcis, located on the edge of the Dolomiti Friulane Nature Park, was dedicated to an in-depth discussion among the project partners regarding milestones achieved, as well as the coordination of further measures and activities. On the second day, the group visited an  organic farm in Claut. The project partners learned about sustainable cultivation and management methods in the Alpine region, opportunities for the cascading use of raw materials and the production of related products, as well as important information on funding and marketing opportunities for small-scale, diversified mountain agriculture. The group then traveled to  Cimolais, where an agricultural revitalization project is being planned as part of the AMBRA project..

We would like to thank the partner institutions  Fondazione Agrifood & Bioeconomy FVG and  GAL Montagna Leader for organizing the project meeting, as well as all project partners ( Fondazione Agrifood & Bioeconomy FVG,  GAL Montagna Leader,  Free University of Bozen-Bolzano,  University of Innsbruck,  Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, University of Salzburg) for the constructive dialogue.

Illustration     BROCHURE

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Brochure: Best Practices & Ideas for Biorefinery Models

This brochure, developed as part of the Interreg Italy-Austria AMBRA project, presents a diverse collection of innovative biorefinery models from the Alpine region and beyond. The selected best-practice examples demonstrate how agricultural and forestry byproducts, food waste, or plant biomass can be transformed into high-quality products such as natural dyes, textile fibers, cosmetics, food ingredients, or renewable energy. The brochure provides an overview of effective approaches to the circular bioeconomy, highlights opportunities for regional value creation, and serves as a practical guide for businesses, municipalities, and initiatives looking to develop their own sustainable utilization concepts.

Interested? Click here for the AMBRA_Brochure_Best_Practices!