With the First Risk Assessment (FRA), Cerac (Climate Risk Assessment Center) maps out 23 climate risks considered significant, along with 5 risks linked to biodiversity loss. By identifying these risks, we can better determine where scarce resources should be allocated first. Some projects are so clearly beneficial that delaying action to protect vulnerable nature would border on negligence.
We spoke about the project and the acquisition of the Muysenhuys estate with Nils Iwens, coordinator of the area-focused operations at Nature Park Rivierenland, and Lander Wantens, head of the projects unit at Natuurpunt.
Why is this project so important?
We are witnessing an alarming 25% loss in plant and animal species, mainly due to changes in land use. Over the past sixty years, we have lost 75% of our wetlands/climate buffers because of land use changes. Today, only 0.5% of the area is taken up by wetland nature, resulting in the loss of ecosystem services and biodiversity, and leading to more disasters such as the Vesdre floods. The project highlights the need for robust, large-scale nature areas instead of fragmented "postage stamp nature," and the necessity of making room for water.
How did the Wetlands4Cities project near Mechelen come about?
In 2019, Natuurpunt, the City of Mechelen, and the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB) came together with the belief that collaboration leads to greater impact. This resulted in a region-focused approach centered around nature-based solutions. This was the beginning of the Natuurpark Rivierenland area coalition, and in 2022 the European LIFE project Wetlands4Cities was launched, allocating €7.6 million to restore climate buffers.
Why is the acquisition of the Muysenhuys estate in 2024 so important?
Since 90% of nature areas in Flanders are just 1 hectare in size (“postage stamp nature”), and areas can only be rewetted if they are large and robust enough, the first priority is acquiring missing pieces of the landscape puzzle. At the end of 2024, a historic acquisition of 17.5 hectares took place: the Muysenhuys estate, which connects the natural gems Mechels Broek and Mispeldonk. The City of Mechelen bought the buildings and the castle park (together 3.5 hectares), while Natuurpunt purchased the remaining 14 hectares of land. The estimated funding gap for the acquisition still to be covered is €350,000. It’s truly a missing link!
Are there proven benefits of these wetland areas?
Climate buffers are areas where natural processes are allowed space. As such, they can adapt to climate change and help retain and absorb water, prevent water shortages, moderate heat, and reduce atmospheric CO₂.
There is ongoing collaboration with academia to map these benefits. For instance, the Curieuzeneuzen project placed sensors in the gardens of 300 residents of Mechelen to monitor temperature, soil moisture, and water retention. Sensors were also installed in the wetland nature area. These not only demonstrated the cooling effect of greenery (by 4 to 8 degrees!), but also aimed to drive behavior change and encourage residents to create more green space through a live dashboard. And that’s just one of the many benefits of wetlands/climate buffers.
What is the ultimate goal of the Wetland Plan Rivierenland?
Natuurpunt developed a wetland plan that mapped the potential for ecological restoration in all the areas it manages in Flanders. Of the 18 project regions, Nature Park Rivierenland has the highest potential — we can restore 345 hectares of wetland nature there. In doing so, we aim to protect our municipalities from potential "water bombs" and prolonged droughts.
What are the challenges for the project?
One of the main challenges is financing. Because this is not a national park, it receives less support from provinces and partners, and additional funding still needs to be secured. There’s a perception of “competition” with other projects, which is clearly misguided.
Many projects show that investing in nature also delivers economic returns. This is supported by analyses of WWF-LIFE projects and studies from VITO and the University of Antwerp, among others. Yet, these arguments often fail to convince investors.
How do you raise the profile of the project?
There is a strong need for bolder communication and even "communication inflation." The project must promote itself and target companies (especially in tech and food industries) with climate and water targets, all while safeguarding against greenwashing. The area-based coalition must continue in order to achieve the goals of ecological restoration. In today’s climate, public attention is often diverted toward other security concerns, but we must not forget that inaction in the face of climate disruption can be catastrophic.