Closing meeting CANAPE project
CANAPE (Creating A New Approach to Peatland Ecosystems) is a European project spread over five countries with the aim of restoring and protecting marshes. CANAPE is working towards a sustainable solution for peatland ecosystems that will benefit both nature and people (socially and economically) in the long term. The English Broads Authority is leading the project and working with partners from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. In Belgium, Natuurpunt Beheer vzw carries the local, umbrella role with partner organisations Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide and Regionaal Landschap De Voorkempen.
Final meeting
In October 2022, the final meeting with all partner organisations of the CANAPE project took place in Norwich. During the meeting, results from various projects were reviewed and evaluated and participants visited peatland restoration projects in the area. For example, they visited the Chara Bay restoration project, where about 1 hectare of reedbed land was created. Another project that was visited was Horsey Wetland Farm: several hectares of pasture where research is being conducted on humification using paludiculture (wet cultivation). In How Hill, the partners looked at the restoration of a large fens, where water is retained for as long as possible.
Thanks to the CANAPE project, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide worked with its partners on peat restoration projects in:
The Margrave
Within the framework of the conservation objectives, the Grenspark ensured that a nature management plan was drawn up for the private estate De Markgraaf, looking specifically at the influence of hydrological measures. Read more here.
The Nol
The Nol is one of the only remaining raised bog areas in Flanders. Because the area is very important for CO2 and water storage and is home to special plants and animals, Natuurpunt installed a water-retaining foil screen in the autumn of 2022 to retain water so that the area stays wet. Read more here.
Want to read more about several peatland restoration projects that were realised thanks to CANAPE? Go to https://northsearegion.eu/canape/.