Interview with Linsy, supervisor Junior Rangers
On Wednesday 24 May, young and old celebrate the European Day of Parks. Under the motto 'Building on our roots', parks share portraits of different generations who have a special bond with the nature reserve with a joint action. Read here the story of Linsy, mentor of the Junior Rangers, who wants to transmit the values of the area to young people.
Linsy supervises the Junior Rangers. This is a group of Dutch and Flemish youngsters aged 12 to 18 who get together once a month to discover nature and roll up their sleeves. The operation has existed for two years now and is organised by the Grenspark, IVN Natuureducatie and educational centre De Vroente. Besides being a facilitator, Linsy is also involved in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide as a Hostess at Natuurpoort De Volksabdij in Ossendrecht. "It was after a host course that I was approached by someone from IVN asking if I was interested in co-founding the operation Junior Rangers," she says.
Magical moments
Linsy loves visiting the Grenspark because the area has so many different facets: "I can really enjoy the diversity of the landscape where meadows, forests, fens and sand dunes alternate. Nature in this area brings me a lot of peace. While walking, I can let my mind wander and am often surprised by plants or animals that come my way. I can still marvel at nature and come across beautiful pieces every time. Recently, while walking, I came across a roe deer. In those magical moments, you dwell on the beauty of the park."
Linsy knows the area like the back of her hand, having grown up here, near the Meiduinen: "As a child, I often went there on adventures or to walk the dog. My best childhood memories take place here, in the extension of our backyard. I especially remember the winters, when the ice was thick enough and we could skate on the little pond. The Grenspark feels like coming home to me."
Junior Rangers
The amazement Linsy experiences in this area is also reflected in the Junior Rangers: "These young people are open and playful. They always ask why: why does this plant grow here?
Their age makes it easy to see the difference between being a child and becoming an adult. It is important that they can be children and that there is also time and space to play and discover. As a supervisor, I try to make them understand nature and why, for example by explaining why certain management works are carried out. We also go and see the results of works together six months later. What I also like about the Grenspark is that the Belgian-Dutch border is not visible or tangible in the area. Even with the Junior Rangers, I notice that the young people make no distinction among themselves."
What you love, you want to look after
"The diversity and robustness of nature in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide should be preserved for future generations," says Linsy. "It would be nice to see that the love for the Grenspark and nature is widely expressed by visitors and local residents. What you love, you want to take care of. I hope that the Junior Rangers also carry this love for nature later on as ambassadors."