Focus on biodiversity in the Sonian Forest

Platform of the Sonian Forest 2024 took place, with a special focus on Natura 2000.

On Thursday evening September 26, local residents, partner associations, forest managers and visitors to the Sonian Forest gathered in Boitsfort for the participatory Platform of the Sonian Forest-meeting. This is an initiative of the Sonian Forest Foundation. Presentations were given about the themes : ‘The Sonian Forest: precious Natura 2000 site, the forests important partner associations and the start of an enthusiastic volunteer team. But ideas and experiences were also exchanged about the future vision, ongoing projects and the protection of the Sonian Forest.

The Sonian Forest: a precious Natura 2000 site!
Protected habitats and exceptional species make the Sonian Forest a paradise for biodiversity. With its nearly 5,000 ha, the Sonian Forest is one of the largest forests within the network of protected oak and beech forests on acidic soils stretching from northern to southern Europe.

During this section, Margot Leemans of Leefmilieu Brussel and also a member of the Life Project Belgium for Biodiversity (B4B) elaborated on the importance of Natura 2000 for the Sonian Forest and its Natura 2000 target species and habitats. Forest managers from the three regions explained and showed how they protect and conserve these target species and habitats in a concrete way, as part of their forest management.

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Biodiversity in the spotlight during a beautiful edition of the Day of the Sonian Forest.

On Sunday October 20, the Sonian Forest & its rich biodiversity were highlighted during the Day of the Sonian Forest.
Thanks to the enthusiastic cooperation of the many partner associations, the municipalities and forest staff who are all committed to the Sonian Forest, and also thanks to the presence of a wide audience, we can look back on a beautiful edition.

Fascinating and diverse activities & meetings were organised all day long at each gateway of the forest. With this year's theme: 'biodiversity hotspot in the heart of the Forests of Brabant', we wanted to highlight the rich but also vulnerable fauna & flora of the Sonian Forest. And we succeeded thanks to the diverse programme including guided forest walks, interesting but also playful awareness activities for the whole family, exclusive guided tours on the ecoduct of Groenendaal, ...

The sunny autumn weather helped to create the perfect atmosphere!

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The magazine Zicht op Zoniën - Vues sur Soignes has been republished!

A new issue (year 2024) is now available with articles on interregional nature enhancement in the region of the Forests of Brabant, volunteer work in the Sonian Forest, a label for the partner associations, a kid's page, beautiful photos on the rich biodiversity, straight from the forest and much more!
Zicht op Zoniën - Vues sur Soignes is free and can be found at the various partners and associations. Ask for it!

ZICHTopZONIEN_2024-NL_LOW.pdf

VUESsurSOIGNES_2024-FR_LOW.pdf

Volunteer operation takes off in Sonian Forest

All thoses who cherish a great love of the forest and are willing to work for its protection are invited to join the Sonian Forest volunteer team!

Some of the tasks of the Sonian Forest volunteers:

welcoming & informing visitors
participation in awareness-raising actions
small management tasks in collaboration with forest staff and partner associations
planting trees
collaboration during activities (team building, site visits, clean-up actions, Day of the Sonian Forest, etc.)
editing and translation of articles, contribution to communication, ...

We invite new volunteers to participate in an information session about volunteering where we discuss the role and responsibilities of the volunteers. This part is followed by a short training session covering the basics of the Sonian Forest: history, management and good habits of the forest.

In addition, volunteers can follow free training courses, which provide them with the good basics to fullfil their mission.