Throughout Brabant, thousands of volunteers dedicate themselves to our nature. Their work is often invisible but very important for preserving our nature. They mow, prune, protect, and count species. They get up early, in summer and winter, in rain and sun. In the forest, on the heath, along the brook, or in the middle of the village: wherever there is nature, volunteers are active. Thanks to their efforts, Brabant remains a green, healthy, and pleasant province to live, work, and enjoy.
Heathland Thanks to Nature Volunteers
In the morning mist, with the first sun on the purple heath, volunteers from Natuurmonumenten are ready to get to work in the southern part of Huis ter Heide, De Mast. Under the guidance of volunteer group coordinator Frank Peeters and former forest ranger Lex Querelle, they manage the heathland area. Heathland is a cultural landscape: without management, it quickly becomes overgrown and turns into forest.
Therefore, the volunteers pull young fir trees out of the ground or dig them out with a spade. This gives the heathland space to grow. Other species also get more room, such as the special gorse, an important source of nectar for insects. The small trees are gathered under large oaks or pines and form a brushwood pile. This provides shelter for animals like hedgehogs and woodcock.
Indispensable Work
Nature volunteers are indispensable, says forest ranger Erik Schram from Staatsbosbeheer. “They do work that we as land managers cannot always do ourselves because it is intensive manual labor and takes a lot of time. Many volunteers help with management and roll up their sleeves in nature. Not only with us, but also with Brabants Landschap, Natuurmonumenten, and other land managers.”
Nature in Brabant would look very different without the efforts of volunteers. For example, heathland would have fewer species of plants and animals and would not look the same or might even disappear. When you walk through these beautiful landscapes yourself, you may not realize it, but it is partly thanks to volunteers that it remains this way.
More Than Just Working in Nature
At Regte Heide in Riel, volunteers from Brabants Landschap are busy removing young fir trees. Nature volunteer Peter van de Sande says he heard about this work through a friend. He joked that he worked “like a sheep on the heath” and derived great satisfaction from it. Peter decided to join and has been a dedicated, enthusiastic volunteer for years.
Peter enjoys the nature around him but especially the group itself. On Monday mornings, he does not work alone in nature but together with friends. The group shares joys and sorrows, and the outdoor work provides peace and energy. He recommends everyone to join once!
Volunteering goes beyond just nature management. It connects people with each other and their environment. Working outside together is good: it is very healthy and energizing. Many volunteers experience that nature work contributes to their mental well-being.
Thank You for Your Efforts!
The province and nature managers face a major challenge: strengthening nature, clean water, and healthy soil. We cannot do this without you, our nature volunteers. Thanks to your efforts, Brabant remains not only green but also livable for people and animals. You make a difference – thank you very much for everything you do!
Would You Like to Help Too?
You can be a nature volunteer in many places and through various organizations. If you want to work in nature and help with management, look at one of the nature managers, such as Brabants Landschap (links to another website), Natuurmonumenten (links to another website), and Staatsbosbeheer (links to another website).
Together We Care for Nature in Brabant
As a province, we find nature volunteers and the work they do very important. That is why we help in various ways. We provide reimbursements, share knowledge, conduct research, and collaborate with different parties. For example, we subsidize management, maintenance of facilities, sheep herds, and nature monitoring. We also encourage initiatives from residents of Brabant and offer reimbursements for initiators in agricultural and rural areas, for example for hedgerows, ponds, or herb strips. Together we care for our nature in Brabant.
