This walk through the Kempenland region demonstrates how nature development and restoration have received a new impetus in recent years thanks to the LIFE Nardus & Limosa project. This European project focuses on the conservation and restoration of valuable heathlands and wet grasslands, with a special focus on two species: the Nardus grasslands (with their unique, species-rich vegetation) and the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), the iconic meadow bird that is emblematic of this landscape.
During the walk, you'll experience how the area is slowly returning to a more open and varied landscape. Pine plantings are being removed to create space for heathland and sand drifts. Old fens and wet grasslands are being restored, giving nature greater resilience and allowing unique plants and animals to return.
The wide paths lead you through forests undergoing transformation, past open heathlands, and areas where water and sand are reshaping the landscape. With a bit of luck, you'll see meadow birds, dragonflies, or other species benefiting from the restoration.
This route demonstrates how nature management and cultural history intersect: the Kempenland region was once a land of poor sandy soils and vast heathlands. Thanks to projects like LIFE Nardus & Limosa, this unique landscape is regaining its former glory and being preserved for the future.