Limburg and Euregion (NL)

Contributor	Sabrina Vecchio Ruggeri
Country	Netherlands,
Keywords	Destination management organization Destinations-in-Europe Europe Promotion4 Sustainable destination strategy
Release date	24/06/2014
Topics	Destination Management Natural Heritage & Biodiversity
GSTC Criteria for Destinations	A1 Destination management responsibility A2 Destination management strategy and action plan
Type	(Best Practice Destination)

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Good Practice Innovation Sheet

Articoli	Descrizione
1. WHO
Key people and organisations (initiator, leader, partners)	Tourist Board South-Limburg
	The IKL Foundation (The Foundation for the Preservation of Small-Scale Landscape Elements in Limburg / Instandhouding kleine landschapselementen Limburg)

Key Figures	Surface	Inhabitants	Tourism arrivals	Tourism nights
	13.000 km² in the Euregion	3,4 million in the Euregion, 608.000 in the Netherlands	30 million in Limburg	5 million in Limburg
2. WHY
Reason for taking the good practice action	The past few decades have seen many large-scale investments in nature conservation in the Limburg region. This project, however, demands support for an urgent problem: the management of Limburg's natural surroundings. If care and financial resources for the ecological elements are diminished this will result not only in a destruction of capital, but also in Limburg losing part of its identity.
Issues and challenge	By continuing to focus on the need for periodic maintenance and restoration we can preserve the landscape for future generations. An additional difficulty is the current lack of subsidies focusing on communication and civic participation. Active engagement fosters a sense of individual responsibility for the landscape. Not only will this benefit nature itself, but also the people who live, work and visit the area In the future, these people will have to assume control of this.
3. HOW
Methods /steps / tools used (to develop the good practice)	Introduction The IKL Foundation's Blossom Ribbon project views the landscape of the Limburg region with a fresh gaze and across national borders. In doing so, the IKL Foundation aims to stimulate processes that foster the historic unification of people and the landscape. The landscape is a dynamic process that is subject to constant change brought about by nature and people alike. This process can be compared to a blossom, which develops from a bud into a flower and then becomes fruit that is consumed by people. The IKL Foundation developed the Blossom Ribbon concept to translate desires and objectives into practical applications and to promote widespread awareness. Various projects and activities are being developed within the framework of this project, with 'the standard orchard' as its focal point. A standard orchard is a collection of at least ten fruit trees with stems measuring at least 1.50 metres in height and planted on a substrate of grassy vegetation. A standard orchard has a density of at least 50 and at most 150 trees per hectare. A standard orchard is often planted in a cluster and clearly segregated from the surrounding environment. The standard orchard comprises the essence of the Limburg landscape and is a prime example of how mankind and nature join forces and benefit each other: a symbiotic relationship that provides people with food, attracts tourism, creates attractive village borders, provides shelter for animals and promotes an agrarian culture. Potential activities and/or projects that could fall within the scope of this project have been grouped into five themes. These projects comprise the driving force behind social initiatives. To promote this idea, every theme will leave room for local initiatives that may be developed during the course of the project. Participation and experience are key aspects of the project: the IKL Foundation invites all parties to participate actively. Landscape Planting new orchards: Including five in Germany, five in Belgium and five in Dutch Limburg, bearing in mind that the orchard is a universal concept in village life in the Euregion and has always been part of agrarian operations and serves as a green belt both historically and in terms of the landscape. Planting these orchards will create a symbolic 'ribbon of blossoms'. The restoration of old orchards: As they are no longer being used for agricultural purposes, historic orchards are falling into deterioration. Although owners often understand their value, they frequently do not know how to set about restoring their orchards. Chopping down old trees and replacing them with new ones is also part of this project. It is also essential that pruning is carried out in phases, in collaboration with private owners and volunteers. Project status: The IKL Foundation started on these activities in 2011 and organises pruning courses and similar initiatives. Culture The orchard is a prominent part of Limburg's culture, in which the vlaai (a large pie, often made with fruit) has become the figurehead and is held in high esteem at both the local and national level. The vlaai was traditionally baked in authentic farmyard 'bakehouses'. These bakehouses have since become dilapidated, their function has become obsolete and their locations are not always known. In many cases the orchards, which were historically located in the vicinity of the bakehouses, have also disappeared. As these bakehouses are part of the Limburg landscape it was proposed to catalogue all bakehouses in Limburg. The ensuing list, which will be compiled with the help of the local population, will show which bakehouses can be restored in order to guarantee their preservation. Agreements have been made as to who will be responsible for renovating the bakehouses. The rural area surrounding the bakehouses will be tidied up by the IKL Foundation. Once the restoration is complete, three traditional vlaai baking days will be organised to demonstrate how bakehouses like these worked and to invite visitors to taste the fruit from the orchards. Project status: The initiatives and activities described above have all been started. Food Fruit from standard orchards has been used for pies, beverages (cider, apple juice) and bread toppings (treacle, jam) for centuries. Standard fruit trees are pollinated by bees, which in turn produce honey and wax. Bees are therefore essential to rural areas. This has prompted the idea of placing 75 beehives in orchards, a project that will require close collaboration between bee-keepers and orchard owners. Another idea is to develop an online marketplace with a view to eliminating the waste of fruit. Orchard owners could use it to give away, sell or trade excess fruit, sell related products such as jam, or offer tools and equipment for loan such as ladders, fruit-pickers, pruning shears, etc. This would likewise allow people without an orchard to enjoy products and come into contact with like-minded individuals. PR initiatives such as juicing days could also be developed within the context of the 'food' theme. Another activity would be to organise culinary buffet hikes in the fields where the products are grown. Project status: All of these activities have been started, except for the online marketplace. Nature Orchards are indispensable to the survival of various species of flora and fauna and serve as both a shelter and a source of food. It should also be possible to create nesting boxes for these species. The idea is also to create nesting boxes for garden dormice and bats at suitable locations and to plant additional orchards and hedges in the vicinity of badger burrows. Birds also nest in the crevices of old trees in an orchard. If there are fewer orchards this will also have an impact on bird populations (e.g. woodpeckers and owls). When new trees are planted, nesting boxes for birds (including little owls and kestrels) should also be placed at suitable locations. Lastly, consideration must also be given to amphibians, such as newts and toads. The idea is to create amphibian pools for these animals in the direct vicinity of orchards. Project status: This project is currently underway; many nesting boxes have already been put up and pools created. People Promoting engagement in the standard orchard culture and teaching people to preserve this is one of the basic principles for the success of this project. Spreading knowledge about conservation, planting, species and varieties to people of all ages will provide a new impulse to the preservation of the orchard in Limburg. The idea is to involve schoolchildren at an early age in the standard orchard culture by enhancing their awareness of the origin of food and by planting fruit trees at 50 primary schools. This will include lessons in conservation and pruning at every school. Adults could participate in annual pruning, training and scything courses that will enable them to care for their orchards independently in the future. The idea was proposed to compile a list of heritage fruit varieties and publish information about these varieties and their whereabouts on a website to ensure that they are not lost. Lastly, standard fruit brigades could be appointed and supervised to encourage more people to prune more trees. Project status: Many trees have been planted and pruned through adoption projects at various schools (>100). The Association for Pomology has already compiled a list of various fruit varieties. Recreation and tourism A number of tourism and recreational projects can also serve to map out the blossoms in the landscape. These projects will allow locals and tourists from further away to experience their delights. Local guides could organise blossom hikes to local pubs and restaurants and geocaching could be used to appeal to a new target audience by hiding ‘fruit caches’ near fruit trees. This would help foster public engagement with the theme of fruit and landscapes. Another opportunity would be provided through blossom parades: local hiking associations and business owners could set out hiking trails with that feature sensory elements in areas that blossom during spring. Limburg boasts the earliest spring blossoms in the country. Project status: The IKL Foundation has organised blossom hikes in collaboration with IVN, various hikers’ associations and the organisations responsible for managing the relevant areas. An event organised in conjunction with the Vilt Hikers' Association attracted over 2000 participants in 2012. Caches are still being researched and/or developed.
4. RESULT
Specific/measurable results, benefits	A process has been started that is spreading across our province and the border regions to create a ribbon, as it were, in which people invite others to experience the natural surroundings anew and to nurture and cherish this abundance.
Recognitions (e.g. awards)	This concept has been embraced by various Euregional associations for landscape and civic engagement, regional products and municipalities. This is evident from the many orchards that were and are being planted: Planting an orchard for friends in Cottessen/Vaals Planting 53 fruit trees in Maastricht by schoolchildren under the guidance of students from the United World College Planting an orchard for friends in Meerlo Planting an orchard in Terworm Parkstad Heerlen Signing a Declaration of Intent by the international partners of the 'Blossom Ribbon' initiative Planting trees of a Limburg heritage apple variety in the Gardens of Vaeshartelt Castle in Maastricht Opening the Euregional orchard for friends Plateau van Caestert in Flanders Planting a Euregional standard orchard near Orsbach Planting a public orchard in Nivelle/Belgium
5. REFLECTION
Lessons learned	Raising awareness among the population for the landscape and standard fruit trees in the Euregion in particular, is very important in this project. So it is important to start with a clear objective.
Challenges met	The 'Blossom Ribbon' project will provide new opportunities to reach new target audiences and unite existing ones. The 'blossom ribbon' is accessible to everyone and will generate support and new energy in our valuable cultural landscape. It can also provide a new impulse for the tourism and recreation industry.
Critical success factors	Spurred by enthusiasm, knowledge and their own motives, we invite people of all ages to actively participate in sensory concepts that draw attention to the landscape in a new way; concepts in which the landscape serves as the connecting factor and the 'blossom ribbon' as the invitation. The project can inspire other destinations.
6. MORE
web-references, documents	www.ikl-limburg.nl/ www.bloesemlint.eu https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0zo6gsy5tbqttmy/5KE7D-NZq5