Fanes-Sennes-Prags / Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park

The jagged peaks and slopes found here could easily create the impression of a virtually impenetrable mountainous region. But in reality, these rocky peaks and slopes surround and at the same time protect large expanses of Alpine pastures and highlands that exhibit tremendous morphological and landscape diversity and whose core elements are Fanesalm / Malga Fanes and Sennesalm / Malga Senes Alpine pastures and the Plätzwiese / Prato Piazza highlands.
The protected park area also contains a number of lakes, including Pragser Wildsee / Lago di Braies lake, whose surface reflects the massive slopes of Seekofel / Croda del Beco mountain, and Toblach / Dobbiaco lake, whose marshes on the lake’s southern bank provide an important habitat for many water bird species. These waterbodies are among the best known natural lakes in South Tyrol.

The park is part of the European-wide Natura 2000 sites, which aim to promote habitat, flora and fauna conservation and were established under the EU’s FFH Directive (92/43/EC) and Bird’s Directive (2009/147/EC). Article 6(1) of the FFH Directive requires EU member states to elaborate conservation measures for Natura 2000 sites, to which end the province of South Tyrol commissioned so called management plans.

Each park has an executive board whose members are representatives of the relevant municipalities, an expert in natural sciences, representatives of nature conservation associations, farmers' representatives and representatives of the relevant provincial agencies.