The University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, the Alma Mater Viridis, sees itself as an education and research centre for renewable resources, which are a necessity for human life. With its wide range of areas of expertise it is the task of BOKU to contribute significantly to the protection of life resources for future generations. With a connection between natural sciences, engineering and economics, BOKU is trying to deepen the knowledge of an ecologically and economically sustainable use of natural resources in a cultivated landscape.

Founded in 1872, the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, known too by its acronym "BOKU", now comprises 13 departments and 4 service centres in Vienna, as well as a number of experimental centres around Vienna. BOKU provides teaching and research in the agricultural sciences, forestry, wood technology, and landscape architecture, conservation, food science, biotechnology, land and water management and civil engineering.

The university has approximately 5000 students (of which 15% are international), approximately 700 permanent teaching staff who are also engaged in research, a broad range of external lecturers, and some 430 persons working in services and administration.

BOKU´s Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems contributes to the development of a network of sustainable and ecological agricultural systems, which provide food, renewable resources and energy. The environmentally friendly nature of these systems ensures optimal soil and plant health, and promotes animal welfare, biodiversity, an efficient energy flow and nutrient cycle balance.

One field of research of this department covers ethnobiology, biocultural diversity and local knowledge. For more information about BOKU please contact Christian Vogl: christian.vogl@boku.ac.at