More than 80 private biodiversity-friendly gardens across Brussels and Wallonia will be opening to the public this weekend, as part of an initiative organised by environmental organisation Natagora.
Across the weekend of 1 and 2 June, the public can visit participating 'Nature Network' gardens for free, and will have the chance to talk to their owners and discover how they have encouraged biodiversity to flourish in their green space.
Natagora has published an interactive map which includes all gardens participating over the weekend, and when they will be open to the public. Gardens in green are offering open access without registration, those in orange are offering guided tours without any need to register, while those in red can be accessed by registering in advance for a guided tour.
For each garden, a clickable link gives you access to more information, including a description of the site, experience of the owners, types of facilities, and practical arrangements for accessing the garden.
The gardens featured over the weekend encourage the spread of biodiversity in Belgium's densely populated landscape, by providing an ecological network for species to circulate.
The 'Nature Network' gardens champion indigenous species and include features such as ponds, compost and fascines to combat more extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. They also include innovations to manage green waste, reduce dependence on fossil fuel tools, and encourage cultivation of local fruit and vegetables.
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The weekend is organised by Natagora's 'Nature Network' in collaboration with volunteers from nine Natagora regions: Haute Senne, Dendre et Colline, Brussels, Haute Sambre, Walloon Brabant, Coeur de Wallonie, Pays Chantoire, Famenne and Lorraine.
Natagora has said it is open to more garden owners joining its 'Nature Network', and also urged those interested in getting involved in biodiversity at a local level to contact their nearest regional Natagora office.
Also this weekend, the annual Environment Festival is set to take place on 2 June at Tour & Taxis Park in Brussels. The festival organised by Brussels Environment will feature everything from workshops on textile up-cycling and making beauty and maintenance products, to e-bike trials and obstacle races for bicycles and scooters.
