The Natagora environmental organisation on Thursday launched the LIFE Vallées Atlantiques project, aimed at restoring about 230 hectares of rare natural habitats in Walloon Brabant and Hainaut over the next six years.
The project focuses on wetland and sandy-soil environments specific to the area. These habitats, rich in biodiversity and targeted by European directives under the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, have not only become rare, but are also threatened by human activity, according to Natagora.
Despite the threats, these areas still host species unique to the region. It is therefore crucial to protect the remnants of this declining biodiversity, the organisation stresses.
Species such as crested newts, wild orchids, marsh harriers, and solitary bees are expected to benefit from the project.
The LIFE Vallées Atlantiques team will work over six years to expand protected areas, restore targeted natural habitats, and engage with local communities, scientists, and land managers, project coordinator Michaël Pluijgers explained.
