Residents from the municipality of West Maas en Waal enhance biodiversity on their property
On Saturday, November 20, private individuals from the rural area of West Maas en Waal received plants and nesting boxes to enhance biodiversity on their property. They are participating in the '24 biodiversity plans' project by Stichting Landschapsbeheer Gelderland (SLG). The Municipality of West Maas en Waal and the Province of Gelderland are funding this project.
Free Biodiversity Plan
Alderman Peters: “It’s wonderful that we can support residents in this way. The plans are truly tailored to each individual. This is how, together, we’re making our municipality a little more biodiverse every day.” A free biodiversity plan has been drawn up for each participant. It outlines how residents can enhance biodiversity and the region’s native landscape on their property. This includes planting native trees and shrubs, such as hawthorn, hazel, and wild rose, or pollarded trees, avenue trees, and standard fruit trees on their property and in the surrounding landscape. Sowing herbs and installing boxes for songbirds and hedgehogs are also part of the project. Participants were able to purchase plants, seeds, and nest boxes at a discount. In collaboration with volunteers from the Little Owl Working Group, we are investigating whether the yards are suitable for installing a little owl box.
Drive-through
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, participants were able to pick up Appeltern plants via a “drive-through” in Appeltern . Volunteers from the Mooi Appeltern landscape management group Appeltern distribute the plants. In total, the following will be planted and sown: over 9,000 forest plants, 20 trees, about 60 standard fruit trees, and 1,555 m² of herb mix.
Bird sanctuary, hedge, and little owl box
A total of 24 biodiversity plans have now been drawn up, and virtually everyone has taken steps to enhance biodiversity. Joost Huisman is no exception: “Consultant Femke drew up a great biodiversity plan. It clearly outlines where everything will be located. I don’t really have enough experience to create a plan like that myself, so it’s fantastic that we received guidance on this. We’ve planted a small bird forest with various tree species and a diverse hedge. In addition, the little owl working group has hung up a little owl box.”