On Sunday 23 March, the Soigneurs candidates made their first trip to the Soignes Forest. To mark International Forest Day, forestry staff, forest ambassadors and an enthusiastic team of volunteers joined forces for a number of forest protection actions in Boitsfort and Tervuren.
Awareness-raising and management actions in Boitsfort.
In Boitsfort, the volunteers took part in communication training in the morning, so as to be able to inform visitors in the field. In the afternoon, they reminded visitors that in spring, the forest transforms into a maternity home and that it is therefore important to adopt good forestry practices. They also reminded visitors of the opportunities offered by the recreational network for walkers, cyclists and families, and were on hand to answer any questions.
Visitors were made aware of the impact of their visit on the forest, but also of how to limit this impact. The volunteers also rolled up their sleeves to take part in management actions to strengthen the forest. They were accompanied by Brussels Environment forestry staff and assisted by Brussels Bavard forest ambassadors. The ambassadors travelled around the forest in a horse-drawn carriage to inform and raise awareness among visitors of the magnificent biodiversity of the Forêt de Soignes. They also had a stand to illustrate the rich life in the ponds.
Clean-up in cooperation with youth movements in Tervuren.
In Tervuren, near the new cycle bridge crossing the Quatre Bras crossroads, part of the forest was cleaned up during a clean-up. The volunteers worked with forestry staff from the Tervuren Arboretum and were supported by the youth movements JNM Brussel, Scouts & Gidsen Zaventem and the Jane Goodall Institute Belgium.
Many thanks to the volunteers, forestry staff and all the associations involved for their enthusiastic dedication to our magnificent Forêt de Soignes!
