Experience week in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide: discover nature in all its variety of species
From 19 to 25 May 2025, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide, together with various educational partners, is organising an Experience Week on species diversity for the second time. For a whole week, the biodiversity of the cross-border nature reserve will take centre stage, with a wide range of activities for young and old.
"Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide is organising an Experience Week in May for the second time. It is a time when we want to give everyone a taste of the area's riches in a new way," says coordinator Jan Weverbergh.
"Many people already know the Grenspark from walks, but this year we are challenging everyone to take part in the Bioblitz. We call on you to get to know as many animals and plants as possible via the app ObsIdentify. That way you can learn for yourself and help science move forward."
Everyone can count species - including you!
Counting species is more popular than ever, also among young people. Thanks to user-friendly apps such as ObsIdentify, you learn while playing which species live in your surroundings - and make a valuable contribution to nature research.
During the Living Week, nature organisations call on visitors to take part in a species challenge or BioBlitz: a challenge to register as many species as possible in a defined area. You can easily share your observations via waarneming.nl, waarnemingen.be or the ObsIdentify app. All species spotted in the Grenspark during the week can be followed live on this website.
Those who would like to learn to work better with the ObsIdentify app can participate in a workshop on Monday evening 19 May at De Vroente, the Sustainable Education Point in Kalmthout. The workshop is organised by IVN Natuureducatie.
A week full of wonder
Beleefweek coincides with four international nature moments: World Bee Day (20 May), Natura 2000 Day (21 May), International Day of Biodiversity (22 May) and the European Day of Parks (24 May). These are excellent opportunities to put nature in the spotlight - and the Grenspark does just that with an exciting and accessible programme.
Together with partners from Flanders and the Netherlands, the Grenspark offers numerous ways to experience nature in a unique way:
- Take a walk with a nature guide in the Arboretum garden, the Steertse Heide, Noordpolder or the Evides water catchment area in Ossendrecht.
- Search for rare plants at the Stappersven.
- Build your own wild bee hotel at the Karrenmuseum.
- Come to the book performance "Goddess of the night" with Joeri Cortens about the little owl in the Old Parsonage in Essen.
- Make your own nature artwork at Het Zonneveld in Kalmthout.
- Go on an insect safari with the whole family.
- Visit the renewed expo at De Vroente Sustainable Education Point in Kalmthout.
For some activities, advance registration is required and may incur costs. The full programme is at www.grensparkkalmthoutseheide.com/en/beleefweek.
Unique European nature reserve
With its 6,000 hectares, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide is one of the most species-rich nature reserves in Flanders and the Netherlands. The alternation between heathland, fens, dunes, meadows and polders makes it home to numerous rare plants and animals. Not for nothing is the Grenspark part of the European Natura 2000 network.