Just a few kilometres south-east of Brussels, beyond the last tram stop and the tidy residential avenues, begins one of Belgium’s most extraordinary natural sites: the Sonian Forest. With its slender, 50-metre-tall trees and sparse undergrowth, this forest is not only one of the country’s most iconic green spaces. It’s also a living symbol of
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As the climate crisis intensifies and ecosystems shift faster than conservation measures can adapt, scientists are increasingly looking to unconventional spaces for solutions. One of the more provocative ideas is to use derelict land – particularly decommissioned nuclear power stations – as refuges for plant species threatened by climate change. These protorefuges would host novel
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The growing beaver population in Flanders is creating tensions between conservation efforts and human interests, reports De Standaard. Local authorities are struggling to manage the impact of beaver activity, as dams are regularly removed to prevent flooding of farmland and gardens – only for the persistent animals to rebuild them overnight. Since their illegal reintroduction
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On World Wildlife Day, concern is growing over EU plans to weaken nature conservation laws, particularly the Habitats Directive. Although the wolf is the main target, other species could follow in its footsteps. Adopted in 1992, the EU’s Habitats Directive protects more than a thousand species – including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and
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Belgium has recorded its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) this year at a poultry farm in Sint-Gillis-Waas, East Flanders. The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) confirmed the news on Tuesday. This follows five earlier cases detected among hobby poultry keepers. In order to contain the outbreak,
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More than seven months after the elections, formateur and soon-to-be prime minister Bart De Wever will this evening meet King Philippe at the royal palace and declare that he has fulfilled his mission to form the new Belgian government. What looked like the easiest government formation in a long time turned out to be months
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On Wednesday, the EU’s AGRI Committee will debate a proposal to introduce minimum welfare and traceability standards for dogs and cats across the European Union. The draft legislation, proposed by the European Commission on 7 December 2023, would establish EU-wide rules for the first time. But animal welfare groups warn that significant shortcomings could remain.
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The debate about wolves in the Netherlands has again intensified this summer. Attacks on livestock and encounters with humans and dogs have scaremongers calling for extreme measures. But let’s be clear – killing wolves is not the answer. Not only are these majestic creatures protected under European law, but as a keystone species they play
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In an unprecedented move, eleven ministers call on their colleagues to support the Nature Restoration Law, stressing that the credibility of the EU’s democracy and reputation hangs in the balance. Europe’s forests, rivers, oceans and other ecosystems are in critical health condition, demanding urgent treatment and restoration. It’s now or never to save the highjacked
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Met de komst van de lente ontwaakt ook het seizoen van natuurbranden. België werd dertien jaar geleden geconfronteerd met oncontroleerbare branden die zo’n 2.000 hectare aan heide en veengebied in de as legden. Hoewel de federale overheid zich toen voornam om België brandveiliger te maken, zijn het vooral lokale besturen en bottom-upinitiatieven die ons voor
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