In April 2026, part of our team travelled to the Netherlands for a three-day study trip, visiting partners, experts and projects that left us with a set of fresh ideas and inspiration to carry into our future work.
Breda
Our first stop was Breda University of Applied Sciences, where we introduced students to BROZ, shared some of our projects, and devoted most of the session to the topic of aquatic restoration as it is one of the key activities we are planning to implement within the LIFE Resistance project. It is always a pleasure to share our work with the next generation of people who will shape the future of nature conservation.
Nijmegen
In Nijmegen, we started the morning with a visit to RAVON, an organisation with long-standing expertise in eDNA monitoring. This relatively new but remarkably powerful method is one we also use to track fauna on restored sites within our project, whether following the reintroduction of grazing or the revitalisation of wetlands. The discussion with RAVON’s eDNA specialist offered valuable insight into different approaches.
The evening was spent with the team behind the LIFE Resilias project, which focuses on the elimination of invasive plant species. One species we have in common is Fallopia sp., and the exchange was particularly stimulating. Rather than relying on chemical methods, the Resilias team plants native species that gradually outcompete the invasive growth. On some sites, this approach has already proven successful, which is excellent news for the field as a whole.
Border Meuse
The final day was dedicated to a full-day field excursion with experts from ARK Rewilding Nederland along the Belgian-Dutch border. We had the opportunity to witness large-scale river restoration on the Meuse, where nature-based flood management measures are interwoven with the return of semi-wild grazing. The animals live in near-wild conditions, and their grazing naturally shapes the landscape around them.
We are grateful to all our hosts for their time, openness and willingness to share their experience. 🌿