The Hunze Vision - spectacular results!
During the first RIWET exchange meeting in Drenthe (NL) in June 2024, one of the best practice examples visited by the partners was the Hunze Valley where they learned more about the Hunze Vision. Now this long term project is reaching completion, the programme leader shares some spectacular results. “It’s been quite a journey!”
In a recent interview, Uko Vegter, Landscape Ecologist and programme leader at Het Drentse Landschap (Drenthe’s Landscape Foundation), shared his enthusiasm about the inpiring results of this large-scale, system restoration of landscape and nature. The final phase in the development of this extensive nature area around the Hunze River is approaching and the various sub-areas in the valley have been re-designed.
The success of the Hunze Vision
"Around 1990, the Hunzedal was an ordinary agricultural area where all the farmland was completely merged, the Hunze was canalized, and here and there there was a small meander that reminded us of how the valley used to be," Uko says. "Now, thirty years later, there is a river that meanders once more, over large areas, with extensive wetlands."
Species we could only dream of
"A huge marsh delta is emerging with all kinds of plant and animal species we could only dream of 30 years ago , such as Bald Eagles, Spoonbills, Egrets, Stilts and several special species of terns. Otters and beavers are reappearing, and re-shaping the landscape in thier own way." Uko continues: "Groundwater-dependent scrublands and marshes are developing, while iron- and calcium-rich water from the Hondsrug returns to ground level in these stream valley areas. In turn, this leads to the appearance of Parnassia and Round Sedge, a sign that the ‘water engine’ is working very well again in parts. So yes, it's actually an incredible story."
Nature restoration on a large scale
The programme leader visited the area last spring with people from the Plant Sociology Circle Netherlands: a club of Dutch scientists and nature managers, plant and vegetation experts. "They couldn’t believe what they say saw! Not only the quality of the revitalized nature, but also the size and scale which is unique in Drenthe. In the rest of the Netherlands, new nature development takes place on a tiny scale – in the Hunze Valley we’re thinking big.
What we’re doing here is actually unprecedented in the Northern Netherlands. In thirty years we have gone from zero to seventy per cent with regard to restoring nature areas around the Hunze. The water system has also become significantly more climate resilient by retaining water around the Hunze. And things have also improved for agriculture: some farmers have moved to other locations, with better conditions for their business."
Nature-inclusive agriculture
There are certainly still challenges, according to Uko: "From the Hunze vision, we want to restore the Hondsrug/Hunze system and restore the Hunze as a living river – it takes a long time and land is not available everywhere. Large parts of the valley are used for agriculture and in that case the groundwater level is kept low," says Uko. "This affects the surrounding nature so is not optimal. Potentially we could create some buffer zones around those nature areas and use slightly different forms of agriculture with other crops. It’s one way of interweaving agriculture and nature – which is how it used to be - but in a new way. We’re running a pilot on nature-inclusive farming now in Achterste Diep, so actively researching this."
Thirty years of Hunze vision in one shot
In conclusion Uko remarks: “If I were to give an example of the succes of our thirty year journey in the Hunze Valley, I’d say that the return of kingfishers, beavers and all those species that feel at home in a wet stream landscape are proof enough. It’s simply … spectacular!’
