The Kempen-Broek project involves the restoration of agricultural lands back to their previously marshland state through rewilding practices which provide flood protections for downstream communities.

Nature-based Intervention:

The intervention created a almost 2000 ha wetland system that would act as a water buffer and reduce the risk of flooding in the downstream cities of Eindhoven and Den Bosch. The land was individually acquired farm parcels which were eventually re-connected. Hydrological cohesiveness was evaluated and when key parcels were able to be joined, restoration efforts would begin. This included removing fencing and drainage, while rewetting the landscape in a way that wouldn’t impact nearby farmers. Naturalistic grazing regimes were then re-implemented utilizing free-ranging herds of Exmoor horses and Tauros cattle. Old fen systems also had sediment dug out as part of the restoration.

Overview of context and outcomes:

This area had previously been a 15 000 ha marsh system, but it was drained during WW2 in order to increase food production in the area. As the land returned to wetlands the project made an effort to link these changes to the local community. ARK Nature engaged the local community in the project by organizing events to celebrate milestones, using names of areas inspired by local culture, adding access gates and creating a book highlighting the oral history of the area.