{"id":8844,"date":"2025-06-19T13:33:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T11:33:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beauraingtourisme.be\/?p=8844"},"modified":"2025-06-19T13:33:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T11:33:49","slug":"exploring-the-natagora-nature-reserves-in-beauraing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beauraingtourisme.be\/en\/2025\/06\/19\/exploring-the-natagora-nature-reserves-in-beauraing\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the Natagora Nature Reserves in Beauraing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Biodiversity, citizen engagement, and technology in the service of nature.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A territory rich in biodiversity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The city of Beauraing, nestled in the heart of the Famenne region, is home to several nature reserves managed by Natagora\u2014true havens of peace for local wildlife and plant life. These protected areas offer a variety of landscapes: calcareous grasslands, low-nutrient meadows, ponds, hedgerows, forests, and clearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the most emblematic sites are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Feschaux nature reserve:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Photo : Natagora (Damien Sevrin)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The site consists of hay meadows, grazed pastures, hedgerows, young woodlands, restored ponds, and a replanted tall-stem orchard designed to recreate a traditional landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 116 species of vascular plants have been recorded here, including marsh ragwort and drooping brome\u2014two species considered endangered in Wallonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for wildlife, the reserve hosts 86 bird species (such as the red-backed shrike, peregrine falcon, and Eurasian golden oriole), as well as the European wildcat, the greater horseshoe bat, and protected amphibians like the great crested newt and the fire salamander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active restoration work is ongoing, including meadow re-establishment, hedge planting, and pond restoration, ensuring the preservation of habitats favorable to biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wimbe valley nature reserve:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Photo : Natagora (Damien Sevrin)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Located at the junction of the Famenne and Calestienne regions, this expansive 43-hectare reserve, established in 2006, features a landscape rich in diversity: hay meadows, ancient hedgerows, riparian vegetation (along watercourses), and wooded hillsides. The Gongon stream, which flows through the area before joining the Wimbe at the heart of the site, enhances the variety of wetland habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reserve is home to exceptional wildlife, including bats (both lesser and greater horseshoe bats)\u2014one of Belgium\u2019s main populations can be found in nearby Revogne\u2014as well as the Eurasian beaver. Bird species such as the red-backed shrike, European stonechat, and yellowhammer also thrive here, taking advantage of the dense hedgerows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To protect this biodiversity, management efforts focus on maintaining living hedges, tall-stem orchards, wooded waterways, and rich forest edges\u2014essential habitats for foraging bats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wancennes nature reserve:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Photo : Natagora (Marie-Fran\u00e7oise Romain)<\/em>
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Located just outside the village of Wancennes, this small reserve of over 7 hectares offers a fine example of a traditional hedgerow landscape. It features grazed meadows surrounded by living hedges composed of hawthorn, blackthorn, brambles, and wild rose. These hedges provide shelter to many animals such as hares, rabbits, sparrowhawks, as well as songbirds like the linnet and the warbler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The site is crossed by small streams, which bring freshness and moisture to the local wildlife. These lands have long been used for extensive grazing, which has helped preserve a rich ecological diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, management is overseen by a local farmer practicing nature-friendly grazing. This gentle method encourages the presence of emblematic species such as the badger, red-backed shrike, nightingale, and turtle dove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natagora: Protecting, Restoring, Raising Awareness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Natagora<\/a>\u00a0is an organization active in Wallonia and Brussels, with a clear mission: to preserve biodiversity through the management, restoration, and acquisition of natural habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Its main actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n