La ferme naturelle « Het Bolhuis » est une ferme d’élevage biologique qui travaille en étroite collaboration avec « Natuurpunt » et « Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos » (ANB).
Organic farm 'Natuurboerderij Bolhuis'
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Enhancing local biodiversity
Aquafin has more than 200 wastewater treatment plants in Flanders. Since 2021, all these plants are being converted into fully biodiverse locations and maintained as such.
Expanding the green-blue network
City : Flanders
Region : Flanders
Project by : Aquafin
Joined on : Oct 2022
Project
Aquafin has more than 200 wastewater treatment plants in Flanders. Since 2021, all these plants are being converted into fully biodiverse locations and maintained as such. This project involves 400 hectares, and we have achieved this through a global and uniform approach. The next step is to identify area-specific needs regarding biodiversity and, if feasible, implement the necessary solutions for biodiversity.
Together with external stakeholders such as Natuurpunt, Regional Landscapes, Agency for Nature and Forests of the Flemish Government (ANB), National Orchard Foundation, local government, ... we will look at what needs there are in a specific area.
Today, we have already implemented area-specific solutions tailored to tree frogs, garden dormouses, ashy furrow bees, amphibians, lizard orchids and bee orchids, brown hairstreaks ...
Who is involved?
Internal biodiversity working group, Natuurpunt, Regional Landscapes, ANB, National Orchard Foundation , local government
Contribution to the objective "Nature-based solutions"
This approach should enhance existing biodiversity, but primarily protect endangered fauna and flora. In some areas certain fauna and flora have already disappeared, with the external stakeholders we want to see if our sites can serve as stepping stones in the hope that the disappeared fauna and flora can eventually recover.
How are the criteria met?
The interventions are all nature-based solutions that enhance, maintain or restore the value of biodiversity
Criteria :
Respect and/or enhance the specific environmental and ecological qualities of the area (e.g. topography, landscape type, local flora and fauna,...). Strengthen the ecological connection between the natural solutions and the surrounding natural areas
Maintenance criterion:
Aquafin has drafted site biodiversity management guidelines for each location, which are included in a framework contract for green space management.
How:
The interventions are all nature-based solutions that enhance, maintain or restore biodiversity value. We focus on both fauna, flora and the environment.
Benefits
Our plants are not accessible to third parties for security reasons, so the experience of nature is mainly a prerogative of our own employees and visitors. Collaboration with and advice from external stakeholders is important to achieve the best outcome for this project. Aquafin believes that it is important to showcase that industrial sites can also be developed in a biodiverse way. Focusing on biodiversity is part of our corporate social responsibility.
Other projects linked to the objective "Nature-based solutions"
Solar panels and biodiversity
Aquafin is a large consumer of electricity and made the choice several years ago to use only green and renewable electricity.
Greening the wastewater pumping stations
Our aim is to reduce the amount of concrete used. Less pavement means greater infiltration and a reduction in the warming effect.