The Fishpond: A Biodiverse Oasis Preserved by Collaborative Conservation Efforts in Escanaffles

2023-08-05 16:01:23

The fishpond is a reedbed that extends over nearly 10 hectares, in Escanaffles, in the entity of Celles, near Tournai and just next to Flanders. This marshy area is rich in biodiversity. Many birds find refuge there. To preserve it, maintenance is necessary a few times a year. An action was taking place this weekend.

“With regarding fifteen volunteers, we cut the young shoots of poplar and willow to keep the site open“, explains Els Pauwels, member of the Natuurpunt association, which bought the fishpond in 2018. “On the prairie side, we mow certain places to impoverish the soil“, adds Kristof Scheldeman, co-curator of the reserve. “This is how we can encourage more varied vegetation, including certain flowers such as orchids“.

Under the protection of Flemings and Walloons

The breeding ground is a symbol of good collaboration between Walloons and Flemings, explain these officials. Because the site is located in Wallonia, its owner is Flemish and three associations (two Walloon and one Flemish) are working to give it a strong and lasting protection status: Natuurpunt, the Cercles des Naturalistes de Belgique (CNB) and Ardenne & Gaume.

In their boxes, these associations plan to eventually create a small body of water in the heart of the area, in order to make it more resistant to scorching summers.

Listen to our audio report (by clicking on the top photo).

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