Little Wilderness subsidy - Flanders

Little Wilderness ('Kleine Wildernis') is an initiative by the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB, Belgium) in which cities can apply for subsidies to create small patches of wilderness on urban derelict areas (inspired by the concept ‘Tiny Forests’). The initiative is part of a larger effort by the ANB and the Flemish government to bring people back to nature. An important aspect of Little Wilderness is that endemic species are used and that visitors - both young and old - can experience and explore nature through elements such as edible plants, fruit and nut trees, child-friendly and theft/weather-proof camera traps, nesting boxes, picnic tables, etc. Depending on local possibilities, different types of endemic nature can be created, such as small forest, shrub or heather patches. When municipalities have patches of derelict areas between the size of a tennis court and 50 are, they can apply for a subsidy with the agency to turn it into a ‘little wilderness’. Ideally, these patches are close to a school, childcare, care or youth center, so that the youth and care dependents can enjoy this piece of nature and potentially take part in its maintenance.

Overview

Type of instrument:

Economic and fiscal instruments›Payments as rewards/for ecosystem services, subsidies, incentives

Challenges addressed

Ecologic connectivity
Green space management (e.g. accessibility)
Social cohesion
Social equity
Nature appropriation / stewardship
Reconnection to the biosphere / environmental education
Human health, comfort and well-being

Consideration of nature-based solutions:

‘Little wildernesses’ is one of the initiatives of the Flemish government to get people back into nature and to communicate nature’s benefits for body and mind. Little wildernesses act as places for people to play, roam, learn, explore and enjoy and should contribute nature experiences, sustainability, social cohesion and creativity, amongst other benefits.

Targeted (peri-)urban areas:

Derelict areas

Good practice characteristics:

Support multifunctional NBS

Sustainable in the long-term

Locally appropriate

Potential to be replicated / upscaled

Inclusivity

Governance

Government body/bodies

Initiating body:

Flemish Agency for Nature and Forestry

Instrument implementation:

Type of involvement:

The instrument was applied for for four projects as of 2022, of which 2 were pilot projects that were finalized in 2019. One project and one pilot project were the result of local inhabitants requesting for more green (i.a. for children to play and residents to meet) and acted as a starting point to design and develop a ‘little wilderness’ in their neigborhood. In another subsidized project, residents are involved in keeping the ‘little wilderness’ patch in good condition through a separate initiative called 'beauty-makers’. Projects are adjacent to a campus and a primary school, with the campus having been involved in the construction and maintenance of the ‘little wilderness’. The biology teacher of the campus collaborated with the project and is giving classes in the little wilderness patch. The little wilderness next to the primary school is reserved for the children to use during school hours. Where possible, the community is involved with the creation and painting of elements that are installed. For example, the nesting boxes are made in a sheltered workshop and children are involved with the painting of camera traps. Furthermore, the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest sees opportunities to involve the local residents with citizen science, through the use and installation of nesting boxes and camera traps.

Type of non-governmental actors involved:

Citizen councils or consultation for co-planning (e.g. workshops, surveys)

Citizen science

Maintenance by citizens

Targeted actors:

Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)

Citizens or community groups (CBOs), NGOs

Financing

Sources of funding:

Public regional budget

Public local authority’s budget

Budget:

Unknown

Details about instrument financing:

A total budget for the instrument is unknown. However, the price to implement the two pilot projects to date was €50,000, of which the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest subsidies 75%. For another project, €40,000 has been allocated, of which €15,000 is subsidized by the Agency. The remaining costs are paid by the municipality.

Monitoring, evaluation and impacts

Achieved outcomes and impacts:

Until 2022, 4 projects have been developed and realized in 1 city.

Success factors and lessons learned:

The inclusion of locals in the construction and maintenance is generally considered a strength of this initiative. Linking the initiative ‘mooimakers’ (volunteers that clean up their neighborhood) to one of the ‘little wilderness’ projects was specifically called out by the Flemish minister of Environment as a strength and an example of collaboration between the city and neighborhoods. A further strength is the specific attention to children and care-dependent people in the design of little wildernesses areas. Through this approach, these target groups receive opportunities to experience nature close-by and be able to enjoy its benefits. Another factor that contributed to the realization of the little wildernesses is that the city owned the derelict areas and could easily change the zoning plans. Little elements are installed to increase stewardship and ownership of a patch. In one case rainwater can be pumped and is used by children to water the plants.

Sources and further information

References

List of references:

Agentschap Natuur en Bos (2022) Kleine Wildernissen. Available on https://www.natuurenbos.be/kleine-wildernissen (accessed on 12-10-2022).

Lommel (unknown year) Kleine wildernissen. Available on https://www.lommel.be/project/30/kleine-wildernissen (accessed on 12-10-2022).

Openbaargroen (2019) Lommel / Eerste ‘Kleine Wildernis’ geopend. Available on https://www.openbaargroen.be/nieuws/lommel-eerste-%E2%80%98kleine-wildernis%E2%80%99-geopend (accessed on 12-10-2022).

HLN (2022) Deze ‘kleine wildernis’ wordt het ontmoetingsplekje van Kattenbos. Available on https://www.hln.be/lommel/deze-kleine-wildernis-wordt-het-ontmoetingsplekje-van-kattenbos~a832d396/ (accessed on 12-10-2022).

Further documents

Weblinks:

https://www.natuurenbos.be/kleine-wildernissen