European Rewilding Network
ERN1513
Kempen~Broek
One of the marshlands in Kempen~Broek.
Ruddy darter at Kempen~Broek.
Erwin Christis
Work in progress at Kempen~Broek site.
Erwin Christis
Straddling both Limburg provinces and North Brabant, GrensPark Kempen~Broek covers a 25000-ha area that strikes the right balance between wet and dry, open and closed, nature and culture. Kempen~Broek is situated at the base of a plateau. In this lower area, many creeks merge in valleys, wetlands and marshes. These lie between inland dunes, covered with heathland and forests. The result is a diverse landscape with a rich biodiversity due to the many ecological gradients.
Project:
Kempen~Broek
Region:
On the border of the Belgian province of Limburg and the 2 Dutch provinces of Limburg and Noord-Brabant
Type of protection:
Natura 2000, Birds directive, Habitats directive, Flemish Ecological Network (B), Ecological Main Structure (NL)
Habitat types:
Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters, Calcareous fens, Bog woodland, Northern Atlantic wet heaths, European dry heaths, Transition mires and quaking bogs, Depressions on peat substrates, Old acidophilous oak woods, Alluvial forests
Keystone species:
beaver, tree frog, honey buzzard, red backed shrike
Fauna (mega) species present:
roe deer
Type of project:
Fostering the development of nature based economies, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
Building a strong, cross border chain of green areas with benefits for people (inhabitants and visitors) and biodiversity.
In order to reach this goal, the partners want to (re)connect:
people with nature
nature with nature
policy with practice and
economy with biodiversity
In order to reach this goal, the partners want to (re)connect:
people with nature
nature with nature
policy with practice and
economy with biodiversity
Kempen~Broek will become a high quality landscape with restored wetlands, natural forests, agricultural areas and heathlands. A rich biodiversity and herds of cattle, horses, red deer,.. roam across the border and attract many visitors. It will become one of the driving forces for the local economy.
Uniqueness of the project:
'Kempen~Broek' still has or is: large, connected and natural areas in a highly urbanized region; a rich biodiversity with species that are extinct in the rest of the country; a laboratory for using large herds of grazers and more specifically the 'TaurOs' project.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Other, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
The main wetlands are restored, the majority of the forests will be converted to natural forests, defragmentation will be largely solved, red deer and otter have returned, people enjoy spending time in the park and inhabitants are proud of their 'backyard'.
Results so far:
Beaver is present, recent otter sightings + expectation otter will return, red deer (reintroduction program in preparation).
Inspirational value:
The partners in the project have extensive knowledge and experience in long term transnational cooperation, stakeholder involvement, visitor management and rewilding projects with European funding.
Experience you would like to share:
cross border cooperation, stake holder involvement, communication, reintroduction projects, climate buffer projects
Experience you would like to gain:
cross border projects, reintroduction projects, climate buffer projects
Country
Belgium, Netherlands
Start year
2000
Size (ha)
25000
Area type
Other
Natural process
Other
Flagship species
Beaver
Member of:
One of the marshlands in Kempen~Broek.
Ruddy darter at Kempen~Broek.
Erwin Christis
Work in progress at Kempen~Broek site.
Erwin Christis
Straddling both Limburg provinces and North Brabant, GrensPark Kempen~Broek covers a 25000-ha area that strikes the right balance between wet and dry, open and closed, nature and culture. Kempen~Broek is situated at the base of a plateau. In this lower area, many creeks merge in valleys, wetlands and marshes. These lie between inland dunes, covered with heathland and forests. The result is a diverse landscape with a rich biodiversity due to the many ecological gradients.
Country
Belgium, Netherlands
Start year
2000
Size (ha)
25000
Area type
Other
Natural process
Other
Flagship species
Beaver
Specification
Project:
Kempen~Broek
Region:
On the border of the Belgian province of Limburg and the 2 Dutch provinces of Limburg and Noord-Brabant
Type of protection:
Natura 2000, Birds directive, Habitats directive, Flemish Ecological Network (B), Ecological Main Structure (NL)
Habitat types:
Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters, Calcareous fens, Bog woodland, Northern Atlantic wet heaths, European dry heaths, Transition mires and quaking bogs, Depressions on peat substrates, Old acidophilous oak woods, Alluvial forests
Keystone species:
beaver, tree frog, honey buzzard, red backed shrike
Fauna (mega) species present:
roe deer
Description
Type of project:
Fostering the development of nature based economies, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
Building a strong, cross border chain of green areas with benefits for people (inhabitants and visitors) and biodiversity.
In order to reach this goal, the partners want to (re)connect:
people with nature
nature with nature
policy with practice and
economy with biodiversity
In order to reach this goal, the partners want to (re)connect:
people with nature
nature with nature
policy with practice and
economy with biodiversity
Kempen~Broek will become a high quality landscape with restored wetlands, natural forests, agricultural areas and heathlands. A rich biodiversity and herds of cattle, horses, red deer,.. roam across the border and attract many visitors. It will become one of the driving forces for the local economy.
Uniqueness of the project:
'Kempen~Broek' still has or is: large, connected and natural areas in a highly urbanized region; a rich biodiversity with species that are extinct in the rest of the country; a laboratory for using large herds of grazers and more specifically the 'TaurOs' project.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Other, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
The main wetlands are restored, the majority of the forests will be converted to natural forests, defragmentation will be largely solved, red deer and otter have returned, people enjoy spending time in the park and inhabitants are proud of their 'backyard'.
Results so far:
Beaver is present, recent otter sightings + expectation otter will return, red deer (reintroduction program in preparation).
Exchange
Inspirational value:
The partners in the project have extensive knowledge and experience in long term transnational cooperation, stakeholder involvement, visitor management and rewilding projects with European funding.
Experience you would like to share:
cross border cooperation, stake holder involvement, communication, reintroduction projects, climate buffer projects
Experience you would like to gain:
cross border projects, reintroduction projects, climate buffer projects
Member of: