40 years - 40 natural reserves – Fooschtbaach
The Fooschtbaach nature reserve has an area of 10.6 hectares of wet hay meadows, fallow land and pastures, of which more than 30% belong to the Foundation.
Situated at the northern tip of the country, between the Luxembourg town of Hautbellain and the Belgian town of Gouvy, the "Fooschtbaach" flows through the nature reserve of the same name. The "Fooschtbaach" is, besides the "Korn", the only Luxembourgish watercourse that belongs to the catchment area of the Meuse. The area is cut by the railroad line Luxembourg-Liège. The land belongs to the Natura 2000 bird sanctuary "Vallée de la Woltz et affluents de la source à Troisvierges". Since 2019, the area is also classified as a protected area of national priority. natur&ëmwelt Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur owns about 31% of the land of this protected zone consisting of 10.6 hectares of wet mowing meadows, fallows and pastures.
Maintenance measures: Then and now
Like so many wetlands, the "Fooschtbaach" nature reserve has undergone numerous changes over the years. While the meadows used to be mowed very late, this agricultural management gradually became less and less worthwhile. Instead, the areas were planted with spruce trees, which proved to be more profitable. However, this conversion of the wetlands into forest was associated with the loss of open land and the creatures that specialized in it. Since 1995, the area has been managed through various measures to create a valuable mosaic landscape from which numerous insects and birds can benefit. The areas have been deforested and rewetted and the reclaimed open land has been restored. Extensive grazing with adapted cattle and sheep breeds, accompanying mowing and annual de-bushing now ensure diverse habitats.
