Restoring habitats at the Natagora nature reserve in Rixensart, Belgium, to improve biodiversity and public access.

The Grande Bruyère / Prairie du Carpu nature reserve is exceptional for many reasons. The soil conditions are very variable in terms of grain size, acidity and humidity. This explains the great variety of vegetation types found in the reserve, given its relatively small size (around 6 hectares).These biotopes were once maintained by extensive practices such as grazing and mowing, which disappeared at the beginning of the 20th century due to the intensification of agriculture and urbanisation. Some parts of the reserve have been abandoned and spontaneously recolonised by pioneer shrubs and trees, causing the disappearance of plant and animal species typical of heathland and grassland.

The first step in our project is to restore the open habitats. This involves clearing overgrown vegetation, removing tree stumps and restoring the natural beauty of the area. To further enhance the reserve, we are focusing on revitalising the dormant seed bank in the soil. We are also installing fencing to allow extensive grazing by sheep to maintain the restored landscape.

Due to its proximity to some urban centres, the site is currently used as a recreational area by many walkers who explore the site, sometimes with negative effects on the soil, the typical vegetation and the tranquillity of the water birds. The intention is to bring more people into the reserve to reconnect with nature, but at the same time we want to avoid any further deterioration of the reserve. This is why we want to provide educational opportunities and we are implementing various facilities within the reserve. Visitors will have access to new signposted footpaths, with around a dozen informative boardwalks and a number of wooden bridges over streams and springs. The trails will allow walkers to access viewing platforms and observatories (for birds, but not only). These observatories are designed to enhance the natural beauty of the reserve, while being perfectly integrated into the landscape.

We expect this project to have a very positive impact on VELUX Belgium employees, both for those who will experience the reserve in their free time, but also as a strong landmark for potential outdoor activities of the different teams, including outdoor meetings and volunteer work to maintain the reserve.

If you visit the reserve in winter, do not forget to bring your waterproofs, as some areas are particularly wet!

Project name: Didactive infrastructures at Natagora 
Country, location: Belgium, Wallonia, Rixensart, réserve naturelle Natagora de la Prairie du Carpu et de la Grande Bruyère
Applicant: Natagora asbl 
VKR Group company: VELUX Belgium
Under development