Forests provide cooling, store carbon, strengthen biodiversity, and offer space for relaxation. In the forest-poor province of East Flanders, every extra hectare is valuable. The province currently manages over 940 hectares of forest and aims to create 150 hectares of new forest this legislative period, of which nearly 38 hectares have already been realized. New forests are being established on provincial grounds, as well as with municipalities and private individuals through the Bosloket and the reforestation fund BOOST.
“We continue to invest in additional forest, because more forest means more than just extra trees. They are places where animals find a home and where people find peace and cooling. They are our natural air conditioners during heatwaves and they ensure biodiversity,” stated Deputy Dagmar Beernaert, responsible for Nature and Recreation Domains. She emphasizes that the province is working towards more forest in East Flanders and that a catch-up effort is underway.
The brochure 'Discover and enjoy in East Flanders' provides an overview of the most important provincial nature domains and forests. During the Week of the Forest, there are free activities in the provincial forests and nature and recreation domains, sometimes with mandatory registration. More details can be found at oost-vlaanderen.be/weekvanhetbos.
In Het Leen in Eeklo, activities on Sunday, October 4th, include 'Come search for creepy crawlies' and a nature tent. From October 4th to 11th, visitors can get a forest bingo and play forest memory games at the forest information center. On Wednesday, October 7th, there is a walk 'Strolling through the forest' and ongoing activities like the 'Hidden life of trees' discovery walk and experience bags.
On Saturday, October 10th, the new provincial nature reserve Groene Velden will be explored in Groene Velden in Lievegem, along with new recreational circuits in the Groenpool Vinderhoutse bossen.
Domain Puyenbroeck in Wachtebeke concludes the Week of the Forest with the 'Feast of the Forest' on October 10th and 11th. There will be free activities such as a beaver and otter walk, a lantern walk, eco-comedy, mushroom walk, children's activities, and a herb walk with a shepherd. Tickets for the eco-comedy can be purchased via the webshop.
In De Kaaihoeve in Zwalm, the 'Night of Darkness' will take place on Saturday, October 10th, focusing on nocturnal sounds and butterflies. At the Ename Heritage Site, visitors can embark on an adventure through the historic Bos t' Ename.
