Restoration of the protected cultural environment at Kaupanger Hovedgård started in 2008. The main target of the restoration is to restore the former, open landscape that characterized the area before the early 1960s, when spruce seed plantations were established by the Norwegian Forest Seed Center.
The development plan describes a further development of the restoration work in the cultural landscape around Kaupanger stavkyrkje, in what we term ”Opplevingslandskap Kaupanger”. Taking a living agricultural landscape as point of departure, the plan proposes measures that will improve the environmental conditions in the cultural landscape, and in particular, reinforce habitats for wild pollinators. It integrates considerations for cultural heritage, semi-natural landscapes and sustainable development, and presents various measures that supports biodiversity. A further aim of Opplevingslandskap Kaupanger is to develop a model for sustainable management, relevant for a wide range of cultural environments.
The development plan includes recommendations for how to restore and subsequently manage the cultural landscape, to increase biological diversity. The plan suggests restoration measures for species-rich hayfields, as well as biodiversity-supporting measures for intensively managed fields and for the landscape as a whole. It seeks to integrate these measures into active and modern agricultural farming. Costs associated with restoration and management measures are included as an appendix that can be revised when needed. Part 2 of the development plan describes strategies and possible facilities for disseminating the values in the cultural landscape. Facilities that promote learning and experience of a range of aspects, including cultural heritage, biological diversity, and practical restoration and management, are particularly emphasised.
Realization of the suggested measures and facilities rests on support from, and close dialogue with, the county administration. In the first years, restoration measures will be the main objective. But maintaining and developing a living, open and species-rich cultural landscape over time depends on long-term commitment to regular management, with subsequent costs. Financial support is also needed for development of dissemination facilities and activities, both important for realization of the added values in Opplevingslandskap Kaupanger.