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    Base de données des projets PDR

    Building Community Partnerships to Protect Local Landscapes & Biodiversity

    Summary

    The project has established a pro-active alliance of local authorities, non-government organisations & farmers to restore local river banks & to re-establish natural habitats, overrun by invasive weeds & eroded by years of cattle grazing.

    Photo:

    Background

    Green tourism has grown over the last decade in the Ourthe region of Wallonia, thanks to the great diversity of farming, natural landscapes, biodiversity and tourist attractions. The river basin attracts fishing, hiking, cycling & other countryside leisure enthusiasts. To ensure a sustainable future, active management of vegetation and landscapes, including the river banks and watercourses is needed, to balance the different uses of the river and surrounding countryside.

    Objective

    The objectives of the project include: Development of partnerships between local stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management & maintenance of river banks and watercourses; Raising awareness of environmental protection needs and to promote direct actions; Restoring and preserving river banks and the biodiversity in the region, particularly through control of invasive plant species (Himalayan Balsam & Giant Hogweed).

    Main activities

    Activities include: (i) Identification of occupants of prioritized plots (ii) meetings with affected farmers; (iii) signing agreements with farmers to build river crossing pathways for cattle (iv) installation of troughs (v) installation of new fencing to control grazing (vi) Restoration of the riparian forest; (vii) monitoring of construction works (viii) promotion of agri-environment measures; (ix) managing Himalayan Balsam & Giant Hogweed (x) forming local partnerships (xi) promotion campaign

    Results & Benefits

    Results include: 16 agreements signed with farmers, 30 troughs installed, 3000 metres of fences installed and 850 metres of banks reforested, 283 kilometres of banks freed from invasive species including eradication of Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed on the whole territory; raising awareness of envirnmental sustainability amongst all stakeholders; improving biodiversity on all the banks of the river Ourthe; dissemination of information on the project provided to other Walloon regions.

    Lessons learnt

    The collaboration between the various actors has proved very efficient and effective. A technical committee has allowed careful monitoring of the project, allowing coordination of activities across the whole territory & also enabled the necessary budgets to be secured to organize the campaign and sub-contracts required to combat the invasive species, construct fences & secure agreements between farmers and other local stakeholders.

    Project location and other information

    LAG Pays d'Ourthe, towns of Houffalize, La Roche, Rendeux, Hotton, Erezée, Manhay and Durbuy

    Region

    Prov. Luxembourg (B)

    RDP Territory

    Wallonia

    Total project cost (€)

    213 500

    EAFRD contribution (€)

    96 075

    National contribution (€)

    96 075

    Private contribution (€)

    21 350

    Contact name

    Pierre Pirrote, Contrat Rivière Ourthe

    Telephone

    +32 86 21 08 44

    Languages for contact

    French

    Document attachment

    At a glance

    Country

    Belgium

    Final beneficiary type

    Individual farmers, Local Action Group

    Budget range

    €100 000 - €500 000

    Start date:

    04/01/2009

    End Date:

    31/12/2012

    Theme / Measure:

    • Implementing the LEADER Approach
    • Implementing local development strategies
    • 412. Environment/land management

    Keywords:

    Agri-environment, Biodiversity, River basin management, Landscape, Natural environment

    Last update

    03/10/2013