Hautes Fagnes - restoration of broadleaved trees in municipal woodlands

In favour of biodiversity, a municipality decided to remove spruce trees growing on municipal soil and to rehabilitate broadleaved trees that were originally growing in these areas.

Full Project description EN PDF icon (546.43 KB)
Project summary: 

The woodlands of the municipality of Waimes are bordering the Hautes Fagnes natural reserve, registered as Natura 2000 areas. The project allows the municipality to exploit spruce trees growing on municipal soil and, in parallel, to rehabilitate the natural habitat for broadleaved trees (Quercus Robur) that were originally growing in these areas. To achieve this, a 10 years agreement was signed with the Department of Nature and Forestry of the Walloon Government (DNF) for restoring around 20 hectares of hardwood trees and including them to the natural reserve.

Project results: 

Nearly 20 ha of municipal soil will be included in the Hautes Fagnes Natural Reserve by 2027.

The softwood sales represent stable revenues for the municipality and the restoration strand adds value for hiking tourism in the natural reserve.