Become a volunteer
Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide needs volunteers!
Volunteers are needed to maintain 60km2 of natural beauty.Would you like to be part of this team? If so, read more about it below!
For a number of tasks in the Grenspark, managers and partners cooperate with volunteers. Does this appeal to you? Sign up for one of the activities below, or ask for more information, via grenspark.
Trail stewards for hiking trails
As a steward, you walk a trail in the Grenspark a few times a year, to check whether the signposting is still readable, whether maintenance is needed, and to clean up litter.
Currently, all footpaths have a permanent steward. But anyone may of course report via grenspark if the signposting needs maintenance or even better, clean up litter in and around the area. Or make a report via the digital experience map.Together we keep nature clean.
Mountain biking
Thanks to the work of volunteers, the trails are safe, sustainable and ever-evolving. Everything is built by hand to preserve the forest and maintain its natural character. Continuous improvements, such as smart water drainage, keep the trails in top condition. The Grenspark Trail Builders are always looking for new helping hands. You don't have to be a mountain biker to help out on the trails. The varied work includes raking leaves, pruning, diverting excess water, or working on a more intensive trail structure. There are different levels of maintenance. All help is welcome! Interested in helping out? Send an email to grensparktrailbuilders@gmail.com.
Monitoring
Together with the volunteers, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide has been collecting information on the existence of plants and animals in the area for years. We look for volunteers with good species knowledge (plants and/or animals), to collect data in a structured way. Based on this data, managers take appropriate measures to maximise biodiversity. Are you looking and counting? Read more about flora and fauna monitoring here.
MTB News from the park
MONA News from the park
Monitoring
Peters and metres
Grenspark Trail Builders
Guides in the Grenspark
After training as a nature guide, you can work voluntarily as a guide in the Grenspark. As a real area expert, you guide groups around the reserve and tell them about the natural features and cultural history. Nature guide training courses are organised regularly in collaboration with Natuurpunt Noorderkempen, De Vroente, Duurzaam Educatiepunt, IVN Groene Zoom, Visit Kalmthout and Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos. For more information, send an email to grenspark.
Junior Ranger camp: guides and cooks
The annual Junior Ranger summer camp for young people is led by volunteers with a great interest in and knowledge of nature. Do you have that knowledge and can you work well with young people between 12 and 17 years old? Would you like to teach them? Then this might be something for you! Our supervisors preferably have a monitoring certificate or an educational diploma. To feed all those hungry mouths, we also invite volunteer cooks to conjure up tasty, fresh and healthy meals. Interested? Let us know via grenspark.
Natuurmonumenten (NL) and Natuurpunt (B)
Nature associations are active on both sides of the border. They regularly call on volunteers for area management.
Become a volunteer at Natuurmonumenten or at Natuurpunt.
Fire watchman
During fire-sensitive periods, a fire tower is manned in a number of risk areas, such as the Kalmthoutse Heide. In this way, any fire is quickly spotted and the emergency services notified. Would you like to man that tower? Those interested in becoming a fire tower keeper may email vrijwilligers.anb@vlaanderen.be directly.
VVV Tourism Kalmthout and Essen
Both in Kalmthout and Essen, the VVV is very active. For example, they work out walking routes and activities to facilitate local tourism, to which you, as a volunteer, can contribute.