Welcome to Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden Vlaanderen: A New Member of EUROPARC
The meandering Dijle in nature reserve Doode Bemde, near Louvain © Vildaphoto – Yves Adams
We are excited to welcome Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden Vlaanderen as the latest member of the EUROPARC Federation! Located in the heart of Flanders, Belgium, this national park is a haven for biodiversity and plays a key role in climate resilience. Known for its rich woodlands, wetlands, and meandering rivers, the park offers a vital space for a variety of species while helping to mitigate climate impacts.
Brabantse Wouden is home to rare species like the badger, fire salamander, purple emperor, and stag beetle. It also serves as a natural buffer against flooding and drought. The park focuses on improving water retention and enhancing biodiversity through habitat restoration and sustainable farming practices.
Interview Time with Bert De Somviele, Communications Officer of Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden Vlaanderen
The Brabantse Wouden is home to rare and iconic species like the badger, fire salamander, purple emperor, and stag beetle. What specific conservation strategies are in place to protect these species, and what are the main threats you’re working to mitigate?
The main threat to our rare species is habitat fragmentation. To address this, we focus on reconnecting forest and nature areas within the park. Our efforts include enhancing habitat quality and improving ecological corridors so that these species can move between larger, connected habitats. This ensures that populations of these species are not only preserved but also become more resilient to environmental changes.

Fire Salamander © Vildaphoto – Rollin Verlinde
The natural meanders of rivers like the Dijle, Laan, and IJse are essential to your climate resilience efforts. Can you tell us more about how these rivers are managed to support biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change, particularly in the context of flooding or drought?
We’re incredibly proud to have some of the last remaining rivers in Flanders with natural meandering patterns. We work hard to maintain the natural dynamics of these rivers, such as allowing dead wood to accumulate and decay naturally. This not only boosts biodiversity by creating rich habitats but also helps slow down river flows and increases water infiltration.
We refer to this process as the park’s “water battery.” It’s a system designed to store large volumes of water underground, which enhances water resilience across the park and protects surrounding areas, including cities like Brussels and Leuven, from the impacts of flooding and drought.

The meandering Dijle in nature reserve Doode Bemde, near Louvain © Vildaphoto – Yves Adams
It’s wonderful to see that sustainable farming and food production are integral to your park. How do local farmers collaborate with conservationists to strike a balance between agricultural productivity and ecosystem health? Are there specific programmes promoting regenerative practices?
The agricultural community in Flanders has faced challenges recently, especially with protests regarding farming practices in Europe. This has created some tension between farmers and conservationists. However, we are committed to rebuilding trust through active collaboration.
Farmers play a crucial role in the management of our national park, and we aim to involve them in the park’s governance. We’re working on various programmes that combine farming and conservation, such as carbon farming, agroforestry, and agrotourism. In addition, we will install a network of weather stations to provide farmers with real-time data, helping them fine-tune their practices according to local weather conditions and supporting their transition to more sustainable practices.
Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden: A Model for Sustainability and Conservation
Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden Vlaanderen is an inspiring example of how we can integrate conservation efforts with sustainable farming practices while strengthening the resilience of ecosystems against climate change. Their innovative approaches to biodiversity protection, water management, and collaboration with local farmers make them a model for national parks around the world.
We look forward to seeing their continued success in fostering a healthier, more sustainable future for both nature and local communities.