Work starts on water filter and restoration of Evertandven
On behalf of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide , work started this week in the Steertse Heide. A second water filter is being constructed there, in collaboration with partners Agency for Nature and Forest, Province of Noord-Brabant and Waterschap Brabantse Delta. The filter should ensure that vulnerable nature of Groote Meer in the Netherlands receives better quality water from the Flemish part of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide.
"The Grenspark is an example of how cooperation across borders can lead to better nature quality and sustainable water management," said Lukas Jacobs, chairman of the Grenspark. "Thanks to Dutch subsidies, a nature project is now being realised on Flemish soil. This is a first. This project shows that shared responsibility also leads to shared benefits for people and nature."
The Steertse Heide is an open area of some 140 hectares, where agriculture and nature management alternate. You will find intensively farmed fields and fertilised grasslands as well as sparse hay meadows that should be less rich in nutrients to give typical heathland species more opportunities. Because of the long agricultural past, the soil here is more nutrient-rich than in other parts of the Grenspark. This favours some fast-growing species that like a richer environment, but at the same time it poses a challenge to the vulnerable heath and fen areas that are directly connected to this landscape.
Nature-based solution
"One of the most valuable and vulnerable areas within Grenspark is the Groote Meer. That lake receives water from the Steertse Heide, and that water often contains more nutrients than desired. Excess nutrients crowd out rare plants and reduce species diversity. To counteract that, a few years ago a first filtration plant with an iron sand filter was built along the northern moat, on Dutch territory. With success! The filter noticeably ensures better water quality and more opportunities for special flora and fauna such as river bank weed, crested newt, belted grebe and eared grebe," says Jan Weverbergh, director-director of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide.
"The success of the first filter ensured that, because of the Province of North Brabant, we also secured funding for this second water filter. This filter is specially designed with the character of a pond to fit in the landscape as well as possible. It is also an energy-neutral and nature-based solution."
Together with the construction of this filter, it also restores a historic fens on Flemish territory. The Evertandven could still be found on historical maps, but was no longer recognisable as a fens due to human interventions in function of agricultural development. After these works, it will again provide space for fen habitats and wet heath. This type of nature is pre-eminently the reason why Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide is part of the European Natura 2000 network.
Unique cross-border cooperation
This project illustrates the unique cross-border cooperation in the Grenspark, where Flemish and Dutch partners join forces in the interest of nature restoration. Authorities, land managers and water managers work together to create one robust, coherent landscape that enhances valuable nature and biodiversity on both sides of the border. The positive effects of the first filter clearly show the added value of this cooperation: better water quality, strengthening vulnerablehabitatsand opportunities for special flora and fauna.
Nuisance during the works
There may be temporary inconvenience during the work.
- Walkers on the Ree and Mont Noir routes follow a signposted diversions.
- The paths in the Steertse Heide are not accessible to horse riders due to yard traffic and driving plates.
The most up-to-date information on diversions and routes can be found via ourExperience map. The works will continue over the next few months, with plans to have it fully operational by the end of March 2026.
Info walks
With a series of three information walks, we offer a unique look behind the scenes of the works as well as at the resulting nature development.
During this info walk, you will get on-the-spot explanations about:
- why the water filter is being constructed
- how this nature-based solution works
- What the restoration of the Evertandven entails
- the newly created ponds as part of the ecosystem restoration
- And how cross-border cooperation contributes to strong, resilient nature
There are three times when you can participate: Sunday 22 February, Sunday 12 April or Sunday 23 August. Participation is free, but registration is compulsory. The walks start at 2 p.m. each time and last about 3 hours. Register here.
This project has been made possible thanks to funding from the Province of Noord-Brabant and the provision of land by the Flemish Government (Agency for Nature and Forests). The works will be carried out by Heyrman - De Roeck (NV) and supervised by the Witteveen+Bos consultancy.
