The Walloon Government has allocated a generous budget of €5 million to preserve and promote environmental awareness in the natural sites of the High Fens and the Forest of Anlier.
Both regions, located in the east of Liège and Luxembourg provinces respectively, will benefit from €2.5 million each. This funding comes as compensation for not being selected as a Walloon national park in a previous call for projects.
The restoration and conservation efforts for the High Fens will focus on rejuvenating peatlands and enhancing the vitality of the forests, which have suffered from droughts and pest attacks. Additionally, the landscape will be enriched with the installation of a photographic observatory, providing visitors with a unique perspective. Moreover, mobile educational facilities will be introduced to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of environmental preservation.
In the case of the Anlier forest, the primary goal is to enhance the site's resilience. This will involve diversifying hardwood species and improving the regeneration of oak trees. Conservation efforts for pearl mussels in the waterways will continue, and a special nocturnal forest area will be created to enrich the ecosystem.
Nature reserve
The High Fens have been a protected area since 1957, boasting a 5,000-hectare plateau that is not only the oldest conservation area in Wallonia but also a renowned nature reserve in Belgium and the German-Belgian High Fens – Eifel nature park.
Popular attractions like the Signal du Botrange and the Baraque Michel draw tourists year after year, but there are numerous hidden gems across the vast 67,000 hectares of woodland and moor in the High Fens - Eifel region. These lesser-known areas offer captivating natural beauty, fascinating legends, and exceptional ecological value.
Situated in the core zone between the towns of Eupen, Monschau, Malmedy, and Spa, the High Fens play host to authentic wilderness areas which remain largely untouched. The slate mountain ridge, rising to heights of up to 694 metres, dominates the landscape. High moors, formed around 10,000 years ago after the last Ice Age, still exude a rare, primordial charm in some parts of the expansive plateau. The region's remoteness, especially in winter, adds to its allure for hikers and nature enthusiasts, transporting them back to ancient times.
Ardennes forest
Meanwhile, the massive 7000-hectare Anlier Forest, located deep in the Ardennes between Martelange and Habay-la-Neuve in Luxembourg province, ranks among Belgium's largest. Its northern slopes, at an altitude of 517 metres, are drained by tributary streams of the River Sûre, which eventually flows into the Moselle through Germany as the Sauer.
This vast forest, with some areas remaining unexplored, provides a habitat for various wildlife, including deer, wild boar, badgers, foxes, and wildcats. Excitingly, the otter population is making a comeback in the region, and beavers have been successfully reintroduced to the river systems. Birdwatchers can also spot rare breeding birds such as great grey shrikes, red-backed shrikes, and the iconic black storks, making the Anlier Forest a true treasure for nature lovers.
With the generous budget now secured, the preservation and enhancement of these natural sites in Wallonia are set to leave a lasting positive impact on the environment and promote the appreciation of Belgium's ecological wonders.
