The Biosphere Park Grosses Walsertal is one of six biosphere parks recognised by UNESCO in Austria. Four of these were recognised in 1977 – before the Man and Biosphere Programme. These are the biosphere parks:

• Gossenköllesee (Tyrol)
• Neusiedler See (Burgenland)
• Gurgler Kamm (Tyrol)
• Lobau (Lower Austria)

More recently two further areas have been granted biosphere park status in Austria:

the "Grosses Walsertal" in Vorarlberg (2000)
and the Wienerwald Biosphere Park in Vienna/Lower Austria (2006)

In contrast to the biosphere parks declared in the 1970’s, the two newer parks are more strongly orientated towards the participation of the local population and the consideration of regional peculiarities.
 
Biosphere parks are identical to biosphere reserves. The Austrian MAB National Committee decided on the term "biosphere park" for reasons of acceptability.

Link: "Inspired by diversity " - Information on the biosphere park concept and presentation of the Austrian biosphere parks.