Poster 30-33: Military training zone Camp Beverlo

1. Landscape with ecological values. The landscape of Camp Beverlo (province of Limburg, Belgium) is very diverse: from land dunes, heath and grasslands to forests. The variation in soil and aquatic system is due to an extremely valuable ecological biodiversity. The 'Commission of Forestry and Nature Management' recently worked out a vision on nature management to safeguard and develop this unique area.
2. Protection of biodiversity. The European legislation obliges the member states to take protection measures in special protection zones. The site Camp Beverlo is proposed as a Special Protection Area for the EU Wild Birds Directive and Habitat Directive.
3. Military use and nature. In 1999 the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Flemish Community (AMINAL) signed an agreement about nature management in 21 selected military sites. The Belgian Armed Forces protects the ecological values of these areas during military activities.
4. Nature and forest management. Nature management, forestry and all necessary restoration activities are specified in a management plan. Nature management is hard work. For AMINAL a shepherd with his 500 'Drentse heath sheep' and an extensive grazing experiment with cattle are important help in managing such an immense area.

More information:

• Ministry of the Flemish Community, AMINAL, Division Nature and Division Forests. Tel. 011-26 44 90.
• Ministry of Defence, Staff Department Well-being, Environmental Division. Tel. 02-264 53 10.
• Camp Beverlo, Commando. Tel. 011-39 85 60.