The city of Beringen is investigating the use of sheep as natural mowers in collaboration with Regionaal Landschap Lage Kempen (RLLK). Currently, a hundred sheep are grazing on the school campus of Spectrumcollege, each time covering a defined area of the grounds before moving to the next section with their shepherd. This trial aims to determine if sheep can offer a sustainable and ecological alternative to mechanical green management.
According to Jessie De Weyer, alderman for Public Space & Greenery, the sheep naturally introduce variation in the vegetation. They do not mow everything in the same way, which is beneficial for biodiversity. They also tackle bushes and young shoots and reach places that are difficult for machines to access. After the school campus, a second trial location will be at the site where the former Laenen greenhouses stood.
Eva Kuijpers, general coordinating director of Spectrumcollege, welcomes the sheep. "They are therefore very welcome on our grounds, not only for their ecological added value but also because seeing such a flock of sheep makes people happy," she says. The animals are considered an environmentally friendly alternative to mowing machines on the school campus.
The experiences from this trial can also be applied later to the management of the Beringen heathlands. Parts of these areas are located on shifting dunes and difficult-to-access terrain where sheep can move easily. Targeted grazing can also help to reduce purple moor grass, which can expand and displace typical heathland plants. Furthermore, grazing can contribute to fire prevention by reducing tall, dry vegetation.
The trial aims to clarify where and how grazing works best. Practical experiences, such as the fact that sheep also enjoy nibbling on willows, help to better align future projects with the existing vegetation and nature goals. "If the results are positive, we can continue this form of nature management," concludes alderman De Weyer. The city will continue to monitor the trial and assess how different vegetation types react and what grazing pressure is suitable.
