Credit: natur&ëmwelt
Luxembourg nature conservation non-profit organisation natur&ëmwelt has announced the upcoming official launch of the “LIFE ArdennEislek” project, which began its activities in January 2025 but will be formally launched at a press conference in mid-October.
Natur&ëmwelt recalled that the “LIFE ArdennEislek” project aims to restore and/or recreate more than 450 hectares of open land habitats, as well as two rare forest habitats, between Luxembourg’s Eislek (Ardennes) region and the Belgian Ardennes by 2031. About 110 hectares will be acquired for integration into nature reserves.
Key measures include: the restoration of meadows and grasslands through soil works, sowing and planting; the purchase and reclassification of land to be integrated into nature reserves; and the reintroduction of threatened plant species such as arnica and devil’s-bit, which will be replanted to support the return of rare species such as the marsh fritillary.
The official launch of the project will be marked by a press conference on Friday 17 October 2025, in the presence of Anne-Catherine Dalcq, Walloon Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Serge Wilmes, Luxembourg’s Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity.
Led by Natagora in partnership with Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur and natur&ëmwelt, the project brings together Belgian and Luxembourg stakeholders, conservation specialists, farmers, landowners and policymakers.
The project receives financial support from the EU’s LIFE funding programme, Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity and the Walloon Public Service (SPW).
According to natur&ëmwelt, protecting biodiversity also helps to improve the quality of life of residents and enhance the natural heritage of the region.
LIFE (L'Instrument Financier pour l'Environnement) is the only EU funding programme that is aimed exclusively at environmental protection concerns. Established in 1992, the programme promotes measures in the areas of biodiversity, environmental protection, climate protection and energy transition. The "LIFE Nature and Biodiversity" funding strand primarily serves to protect species and habitats of community importance as well as biodiversity. The programme supports the establishment and management of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas and the implementation of the EU biodiversity strategy.
For more information about the project, see this previous article: embed link:https://www.chronicle.lu/category/environment/53071-luxembourg-belgian-nature-projects-team-up-to-protect-plants-wildlife
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