Our nature reserves

To the east of Dudelange lies the Roudebierg, a long south-facing slope, most of which once belonged to mining and steel giant Arbed. Roudebierg is one of the largest reserves of the Minette foundation.

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The Roudebierg nature reserve is located on the former Minettes mining site, south-east of the commune of Dudelange, and is part of the Natura 2000 network. It is essentially made up of dry grasslands growing on silty, chalky soil. The soil is poor in mineral nutrients, shallow and does not retain water, making it ideal for the development of dry grasslands. In summer, these lawns undergo a more or less intense drought, which allows the appearance of rare plant species typical of these environments.

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The abandonment of pastoralism and intensive agriculture are the main causes of the regression of dry grasslands and the many species they shelter. These landscapes of unprecedented ecological interest are veritable biodiversity "hot spots". Dry grasslands are home to an astonishing diversity of orchids, butterflies, wild bees and birds. They are also home to a wide variety of grasses and thistles, as well as junipers. These habitats are also home to a multitude of lepidopterans, beetles, grasshoppers and more. The flagship insect of the Roudebierg reserve, however, is the majestic praying mantis, which you may have the privilege of encountering on a stroll through the reserve. The main threat to the praying mantis is the disappearance of its habitat in favor of industrial zones, residential areas, roads and intensive agriculture using phytosanitary products that are fatal to the animal. The land acquired by the Foundation in Roudebierg is therefore invaluable for the conservation of this species, and of biodiversity in general.

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Flagship animal: Praying mantis (Mantis religiosa)

The praying mantis is a species of the Mantidae family, 6 to 8cm long. You'll recognize it by its large, triangular, protruding eyes, its front legs, the "raptors" in the shape of a folded hook and equipped with spikes, and its long, slender, green body. It lives for 6 to 9 months, during which time it feeds on other insects such as locusts, grasshoppers and bugs, and reproduces, laying 200 to 300 eggs after mating.

With its steep slopes to the north and south and the course of the "Burebaach" at the foot of the narrow valley, the "Bourenground" nature reserve lies below Bourscheid Castle. Rich in biodiversity, several species of orchid can be found in this biotope type 6510, i.e. lowland hay meadow. The term "lowland hay meadow" is misleading, as it refers to steeply sloping meadows, and is therefore more indicative of the composition of the various plant associations found here. Located below the "Bourscheider Schloss", with a few dry-stone walls and the land registry name "Schlossgarten", it can be assumed that the areas were once part of the castle and castellan's lands. natur&ëmwelt Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur owns 5.38 ha here.

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Shifting grazing and flow ditches

Itinerant grazing is a form of extensive management of lean grasslands. By means of specific planning, we are attempting to integrate different sites nationwide into this grazing, which is largely carried out by an itinerant shepherd. Depending on the characteristics of the various sites, the sheep flock grazes the different areas once or twice a year under the constant supervision of a professional shepherd. As an ecological management method, transhumance helps to protect the natural heritage and maintain biodiversity. The spread of seeds from one site to another by the itinerant herd is a real asset for biodiversity. The "Bourengronn" areas are also grazed by sheep. Although the eastern meadow had been grazed by sheep in the past, this measure was abandoned several decades ago. After clearing and fencing, the meadow was recently reactivated and is now managed by Lieler's itinerant Weber sheep farm. The western meadow is also to be reopened and maintained with the help of sheep. In addition to transhumance, the areas below the castle are home to another intangible cultural heritage. Before the advent of fertilizers, "flow ditches" were built to irrigate the valley's meadows throughout the year, thus enabling them to be fertilized. Combined with late mowing, this technique ensured the necessary forage stocks in a rather unprofitable region like the Oesling. This practice was widespread in Europe at the time, and remnants of these flow ditches can still be found today in many Ardennes valleys, as here in the "Bouregronn". Irrigation of valley meadows has led, depending on location, to a diversification of vegetation and the development of chalky, lean habitats, quite unusual in the region. Some of the old flow ditches are still clearly visible in the area today, and some are even stabilized by dry-stone walls, providing another fascinating habitat.

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Between 2004 and 2007, the alluvial plain between Dumontshaff and Lameschmillen was the scene of a large-scale ecological enhancement project: the renaturation of the Alzette and its tributary Kiemelbaach.

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The Foundation was responsible for this European LIFE-Nature project, carried out in partnership with the Administration de la Nature et des Forêts, the communes of Schifflange and Mondercange, the Office National du Remembrement and the Ministry of the Environment.

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The Alzette has been moved from its straightened bed to the thalweg, the lowest point in the valley, where it meanders freely through a mosaic of restored wetlands: deep-water and low-water zones in the watercourse, amphibian zones, marshy meadows, reedbeds, alluvial forest, sedge meadows and megaphorbia, etc.

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The creation of a landscape balance between the watercourse, the bank vegetation and the alluvial plain increases the natural retention capacity and, consequently, attenuates flood peaks, improves self-purification capacity by increasing amphibian zones and, finally, restores natural structural diversity.

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Since then, there has been an explosion in local biodiversity, with, for example, 37 rare plant species with protected status in Luxembourg, more than 45 species of breeding birds, 13 species of grasshopper ...

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The project was accompanied by the introduction of extensive grazing on the alluvial plain, to preserve an open, non-wooded environment. A mixed herd of Galloway cows and marsh buffalo maintain more than 40 ha on a permanent basis.

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The Grande douve (Ranunculus lingua) was long considered extinct ("RE" on the red list) before being rediscovered here in 2009, the renatured Alzette offering an ideal habitat: a slow-flowing river in a regularly flooded alluvial zone.

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The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) appreciates the reserve's wetlands, where it can find the small vertebrate and invertebrate fauna on which it feeds. As soon as the project was completed, it took up residence in the artificial nesting box near the Lameschmillen, where it now breeds successfully every year.

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More recently, two bodies of water have been dug by the Foundation as part of the "Ponds Action Plan". These shallow ponds provide a habitat for numerous insects and amphibians, and are essential temporary resting places for migratory birds.

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The educational trail allows walkers to discover the avifauna from an observation tower, as well as the various types of vegetation on the alluvial plain by following the caillebottis in the wet areas.

Located in the north-western part of the Bettembourg commune, this large alluvial zone of the Alzette is protected at both national and European level. This reserve is one of the few havens of peace for nature in general, and birds in particular, in the south of the country, which has been fragmented by industry and urbanization.

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The Stréissel nature reserve has a mosaic of habitats, and this diversity of environments is of prime importance for breeding and migratory birds: wet meadows, hay meadows, reedbeds, ponds and pools, alluvial forest, the Alzette and its banks, etc.

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In the 1980s, a series of ponds and puddles were created with the help of the local authority and the local natur&ëmwelt section.

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Today, the main objective is to conserve the rather exceptional 10 ha of continuous lowland hay meadows. These areas are managed under biodiversity contracts, with late mowing and no fertilization. Threatened by the intensification of agriculture, with early and repetitive mowing and excessive fertilization, these habitats are in sharp decline in Luxembourg.

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Declining amphibian species also benefit from the reserve's expanses of water, where numerous aquatic plants thrive. In the vicinity of waterholes, for example, you can find magnocariacas, dense herbaceous formations composed, among other things, of plants from the Cyperaceae family, such as sedges. Water bodies are essential for the reproduction of certain insect species, and attract a wide variety of them.

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A challenge for the future is to restore the alluvial plain to a semi-natural state by renaturating the Alzette.

Biennial crepis (Crepis biennis) flowers from July to September, and can be recognized by its long stem, which can reach 50 to 100 cm. It is characteristic of hay meadows, a habitat that has become very rare due to intensive fertilization.

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The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) prefers shallow, sunny, vegetation-rich stagnant water. The male can be distinguished from the female by the presence of a crest on the back and top of the tail. Highly sensitive to pollution and changes in its biotope, the species suffers from the disappearance of wetlands and the increasing use of chemicals.

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Marsh iris (Iris pseudacorus) is a common wetland plant, always found in shallow water. It tolerates pollution and eutrophication well, and is used in lagoon systems for its depolluting power.

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The permanent IVV trail along the Stréissel starts in Leudelange and twice crosses the Grand Bois de Bettembourg: partly classified as an integral forest reserve, forestry activities are reduced to a strict minimum.

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Witteschbierg is a hill between Medingen and Waldbredimus, whose south and southeast-facing slopes have been gradually abandoned to agriculture over the past fifteen years. Im Reder is a very steep north-east-facing slope, on similar soil, downstream in the Trintange valley.

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Originally, grazing on these marly slopes, which were not very fertile but rich in limestone, led to the development of dry calcicole grasslands or flower-rich meadows. Today, a mosaic of different plant groupings can still be found here, with all stages of transition: semi-natural grassland with low vegetation, a carpet of grasses rich in flowering herbs, edge vegetation, scrub consisting mainly of blackthorn, hawthorn, dogwood, wild rose and privet, but also trees such as wild cherry, wild pear and oak, old fruit trees from former orchards.

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Unfortunately, the abandonment of farming activities has led to a reduction in biodiversity, with the appearance and development of scrub and a gradual evolution towards a thermophilic oak-beech forest.

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Preparatory work began at the end of 2017, with partial cutting of undergrowth, removal of slash and the use of a rotary harvester. A new fence of around 1.6 km delimits the site. In May 2018, the resumption of grazing on the slopes began with the 1st passage of an itinerant flock of 250 sheep.

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Since 2017, a dozen Luxembourg Rotary Clubs have financially supported the ecological enhancement of the Witteschberg and participated in an annual planting. The planting of 40 domestic mountain ash trees (Sorbus domestica) - Tree of the Year 2017 - has complemented the diversity of wild fruit trees.

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The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) prefers open landscapes rich in structure. Red-backed shrikes are hunter-guessers who track their prey from a vantage point, hunting insects, lizards and small mammals. Once caught, the prey is impaled on barbed wire or thorns in preparation for more unfavorable periods.

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A small loop trail will enable a wider public to discover the site. The section through the Witteschbierg is currently being created (January 2022). In the meantime, hikers can take the shortcut in orange, which corresponds to the local "Daller Trëppeltour" trail around the Cherry Valley.

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The Mediterranean Garden at Schwebsange is a garden featuring a private collection of plants, designed and developed by Charles Roovers and Dieter Lingener over 30 years ago. At the end of 2009, the garden was donated to the Foundation, which is committed to preserving this jewel.

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Today, the 15-acre garden boasts around 1,000 species and varieties of plants. The emphasis is on plants from the Mediterranean region and from subtropical to tropical climates. These plants can partially adapt to the milder climate of the Moselle valley, already appreciated in Roman times for the cultivation of vines. In addition, the garden features a wide range of classic garden shrubs and smaller collections of selected varieties of peonies, roses, Christmas roses, irises, daylilies and fuchsias.

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In 2012, thanks to financial support from the Oeuvre nationale de secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, part of the barn was renovated. The new building serves as a greenhouse for potted plants in winter, and houses the offices of the Foundation, which also organizes guided tours (mediterraner-garten.lu).

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As part of the LIFE Orchis project, major restoration work has been carried out at In Lamert, Quärten and Hëllekaul. One year after the first clearing, the purple orchid (Orchis purpurea) is recolonizing the open areas.

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Several new ponds have been created. The pollarded willows are regularly maintained during 'Fit by Nature' workcamps, open to the general public.

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Discover the Lamert valley, the Haff Réimech site and the Biodiversum, a haven for the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), the Mediterranean garden and the Kuebendällchen valley, along a challenging, unmarked trail combining several local paths. Use map and/or gpx route.

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The steep slopes of Scheierbierg and the surrounding area have long been used for grazing. At the beginning of the ^20th century, the site offered the image of a steep hill covered with sparse lawns and vast, species-rich dry grasslands.

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Following the mechanization and intensification of agriculture, these marginal sites were gradually abandoned, and evolved into various stages of overgrowth and even forest.

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Thanks to the committed work of volunteers from several natur&ëmwelt sections, one of the overgrown dry grasslands has been restored since the 1980s. Today, the Scheierbierg reserve is one of the most valuable dry grasslands in south-eastern Germany.

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In recent years, large populations of orchids have become established here, along with a host of rare and protected plant species, such as the hairy gentian (Gentiana ciliata).

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The LIFE Orchis project was able to significantly expand the reserve, while adding two other large sites, Fuusselach and Hiewelbierg, a former gypsum quarry. All three sites play an important role as ecological corridors for native fauna, particularly birds and bats.

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Different bat species, such as the rhinolophus (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) with young eared murres (Myotis emarginatus), are attracted to wooded structures such as isolated trees and hedges.

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Melampyrum arvense is a plant that was once typical of agricultural landscapes, but is now threatened with extinction. It prefers dry, calcareous soils exposed to sunlight and thrives on the limestone-rich soils of the Scheierbierg.

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Intermediate Brize (Briza media), also known as tremblotte because of the way its spikelets sway in the wind, is another typical dry grassland plant, indicative of poor soils.

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Discover the landscape around Scheierbierg using the map and/or gpx trail, combining the "Ierpeldenger Gipswee" trail with the AXA discovery trail.

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The "Kanecher Wéngertsbierg" is a 2 km-long south-facing slope between Canach and Gostingen, once a vineyard in the Moselle hinterland. Long abandoned, the site has been restored since 1994.

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Of the 40 hectares of vines that existed around 1920, only 2.7 hectares are currently farmed, including 68 ares by the Foundation and volunteers from the local natur&ëmwelt chapter. Since 1995, Kanecher Gotteszorn, potentially the name of the wine produced from this vineyard, has become the country's first organic vineyard, with 16 terraces preserving historic structures such as small plots and vineyard terraces supported by dry stone walls.

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Unlike other regions where vineyards have been subjected to consolidation, this area has preserved its small plots and terraces by using dry-stone walls, an ancient construction technique with no binding agents or mortar. These walls have a number of advantages, including preserving farmland from erosion, creating niches for a variety of flora and fauna, and creating a microclimate beneficial to the development of the vines.

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Although these historic structures have been largely overgrown since the vineyards were abandoned, the Foundation has been implementing ecological and landscape enhancement projects for over 30 years. The clearing of undergrowth and the reintroduction of a farm, including a vineyard, pasture and orchard, are helping to develop flora and fauna adapted to this sunny slope.

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In the eastern part of the site, in the direction of Gostingen, an area has been planted with red vine peach trees (Prunus persica), a plant characteristic of the old vineyards that was once used to warn winegrowers of the spread of powdery mildew diseases.

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The wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) benefits from the reopening of wooded areas and rediscovers its typical habitat around old dry-stone walls, now exposed to sunlight.

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In order to pass on the know-how of dry-stone wall construction, an Interreg project brings together players from the Greater Region to restore this disappearing heritage. The site is also managed with the help of goats and sheep, acting as partners in landscape management, which can be explored by combining the Kanecher Wéngertsbierg and Baeumchesfels trail using the map and/or GPX route.

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The Syre alluvial plain between Uebersyren and Mensdorf is home to Luxembourg's largest reedbed, spread over two distinct but similar sites, the Mensder Brill and the Schlammwiss. In the past, the course of the Syre was modified to facilitate farming by draining it with ditches. In 2003, a 2 km-long renaturation operation was undertaken at the Mensnder Brill site, allowing the Syre to return to its natural thalweg, increasing water retention capacity during floods and creating new wetlands.

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To maintain an open plain, permanent extensive grazing over 25 hectares has been set up, and in 2021, marsh buffalo have been introduced to adapt the system. This grazing contributes to slowing down the flow of the Syre, encouraging the creation of various wetland environments such as reedbeds dominated by reeds (Phragmites australis), magnocariçaies with marsh sedges (Carex acutiformis) and acute sedge (Carex acuta), wet strips along the ditches and banks of the Syre, wet meadows with meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), and floating vegetation.

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The region's avifauna is impressive, with 150 species recorded, all benefiting from the diversity of nesting and feeding environments. The reedbed, in particular, serves as a service station for migratory birds, acting as a dormitory and feeder. Among the species present, the common reed (Phragmites australis) is thriving, thanks to the gradual abandonment of mowing in areas that are too wet.

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The European kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), the colorful ambassador of streams, is a species sensitive to stream pollution and wetland destruction. The Schlammwiss is also home to Luxembourg's largest bird-banding station, where volunteers capture, measure and release breeding and migratory birds, providing crucial data on the evolution of bird populations. Guided tours are organized throughout the year. In 2019/2020, thanks to sponsorship from Cactus SA, a new half-hectare pond called "Cactusweier" has been developed, complemented by an observatory to enrich the didactic support of the existing trail.

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The Aarnescht nature reserve is distinguished by its Mediterranean-like microclimate, creating a crucial habitat for around 1000 plant and animal species. This remarkable site is home to almost two-thirds of Luxembourg's 34 species of orchid, making it one of the country's most important nature reserves, declared a protected area in 1988.

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Specific site characteristics, such as steep south-facing slopes and limestone-rich but nutrient-poor soils that dry out quickly, contribute to the exceptional diversity of semi-natural grassland landscapes on limestone.

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In terms of avifauna, the reserve is home to 57 species, 39 of which nest on the site and 11 of which are on the red list of threatened species. In terms of insects, 136 butterfly species have been recorded, 35 of which are also on the red list, and of the 22 grasshopper species present, 9 are also classified as threatened.

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To prevent overgrowth, appropriate management practices are implemented, such as manual mowing, brush-cutting and grazing with sheep, often referred to as "biodiversity cabs". These animals play an essential role in transporting seeds and micro-organisms, thus promoting the interconnection of different biotopes. A biodiversity contract is also in place to manage the ring of orchards in the reserve's buffer zone.

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Among the reserve's emblematic species are Ophrys fly (Ophrys insectiflora), an orchid with flowers imitating small flies, and Decticus verrucivore (Decticus verrucivorus), a species of grasshopper threatened in Luxembourg.

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A nature trail with 16 information panels immerses visitors in the heart of the reserve, offering spectacular views and highlighting the amphitheater of the Niederanven agglomeration. The trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the region's remarkable flora and fauna.

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The Weimericht and Duelen nature reserves, stretching from Junglinster to Beidweiler, lie on slopes of Keuper marl, representing an ecosystem that is emblematic of Luxembourg's limestone dry grasslands. These slopes offer not only a rich biodiversity but also picturesque landscapes with undulating reliefs surrounded by plateaus and mounds of Luxembourg sandstone.

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The region's calcicole grasslands are the result of ancient grazing practices. However, the abandonment of agricultural management can lead to recolonization by forest, passing through intermediate stages such as overgrowth. Maintaining this precarious balance on marginal farmland is crucial to safeguarding the unique biodiversity of these grasslands.

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The land managed by the foundation includes dry grasslands, rough pastures, wasteland, scrubland and an orchard with 200 trees. The site is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, home to 92 butterfly species and 32 plant species on the Grand Duchy's red list.

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Weimericht, in particular, is dedicated to René Schmitt (1926-1999), a fervent advocate of nature conservation and the first president of the "Maison de la Nature" in Kockelscheuer.

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The site is renowned for its diversity of orchids, including the Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis). The presence of this and other orchids testifies to the floristic richness of the site.

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Unfortunately, the environment of these reserves has been affected by changes such as the construction of a bridge and nearby road traffic, which can have repercussions on the flora, fauna and overall landscape.

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The sustainable management of these lawns is maintained by practices such as periodic brush-cutting and extensive grazing with sheep of the "Drenthner Heideschafe" breed. This initiative, which has been in place for over 20 years, has kept the lawn in good condition and preserved the site's biological diversity.

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The alluvial plain of the Syre, between Uebersyren and Mensdorf, is home to two unique natural sites, the Mensder Brill and the Schlammwiss, forming the largest reed beds in Luxembourg. These sites have a history marked by human exploitation, in particular the shifting of the course of the Syre to facilitate agriculture and the draining of the river with ditches. In 2003, a renaturation initiative was launched at the Mensder Brill site, allowing the Syre to return to its natural course, thus helping to retain water in the event of flooding and creating new wetlands.

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The 20-hectare Schlammwiss nature reserve is the largest reed complex in Luxembourg. The site also includes lakes, ponds, puddles and an orchard with a nature trail. Management of the orchard, with a surface area of 1.71 hectares, involves harvesting and adding value to the fruit by producing juices and jams. Efforts are made to attract birdlife, particularly thrushes, by harvesting apples in autumn.

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The reserve's meadows are tended ecologically by sheep and ponies. Nesting boxes and bird shelters are installed in the orchard trees. The surrounding forests attract a variety of species, including black and green woodpeckers.

The entire alluvial plain is home to exceptional biodiversity, as attested by monitoring surveys. In addition to bird diversity, rare plants such as swamp walnut and vigorous cattail contribute to the ecological richness. The mosaic of semi-natural habitats, including reed beds, magnocarias, meadows and ponds, provides essential nesting, resting and feeding places for breeding and migratory birds.

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The reserve also benefits from a variety of other inhabitants, such as reptiles (lizards and snakes), mammals (foxes, mice, weasels, etc.) and amphibians (toads, newts, frogs). Because of its exceptional ecological importance, the nature reserve is the focus of ongoing action throughout the year to protect and preserve it.

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The valleys tributary to the Moselle often have very steep but sunny slopes, which have been terraced to facilitate vine-growing. Kilometers of dry-stone walls were built for this purpose. Today, this heritage is partially buried under a cover of undergrowth and trees, following the abandonment of the vineyards.

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The Gëllebierg is the continuation of the Pällembierg along the Donvenerbaach. It is a recent reserve of the Foundation, expanded during the LIFE Orchis project to restore dry grasslands.

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Along the Moselle, parcel fragmentation is very pronounced. A multitude of landowners, almost all from former winegrowing families, were approached to acquire small plots. The majority of owners were delighted at the idea of reopening the old terraces, which had still been cultivated in the 1980s. At the time, the last winegrowers had refused the consolidation of vineyards, which in other parts of Moselle has often been disastrous for biodiversity. This refusal marked the end of this winegrowing site, as it was difficult to cultivate and prone to late frosts.

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In autumn 2020, a major clearing operation restored a site of particular importance for thermophilous species. Like all the sites managed by the LIFE Orchis project, the clearing was accompanied by the maintenance of a large number of structural elements, such as isolated trees and a number of bushes.

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Common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens): The largest stand of common boxwood can be found naturally at Pällembierg near Ahn. Boxwood is prized by bees for its early spring flowering, and its wood is known for its exceptional hardness.

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Stump lizard (Lacerta agilis): The stump lizard is a fairly common reptile, also suffering from landscape fragmentation and agricultural intensification. It colonizes biotopes with alternating open areas and areas with denser vegetation. It loves sunny areas, such as these south-facing slopes.

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Goat grazing: In order to maintain extensive management of the site, the Foundation has entered into a biodiversity contract with a local farmer. As with the neighbouring Haangeberreg site, the goat herd grazes the old terraces of this new reserve.

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"Traumschleife: Boucle de rêve is a concept for a quality hiking trail. The Pällembierg Loop is one of three loops in the Grand Duchy that form part of the network of routes starting in neighboring Saarland. A number of small trails and a variety of hiking experiences make these loops a success.

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Between Machtum and Grevenmacher, the Moselle describes wide, S-shaped meanders. On the Luxembourg side, the concave bank of the meander is characterized by a steep slope with impressive rocky areas, derived from the Muschelkalk, partly terraced and cultivated as vineyards until the 1960s.

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The steep parts of the valley have since been abandoned by winegrowers to concentrate on those parts where mechanical farming is possible. After winegrowing was abandoned, some of the plots were reallocated to orchards or recolonized with bushes, or even planted with coniferous trees.

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As part of the LIFE Orchis project, 3.5 hectares of these former terraces, part of the Foundation's reserves, were cleared of undergrowth. With the help of the new LIFE Bats & Birds project, a fence was erected to enable the goat herd to maintain this new open environment, highly attractive to reptiles, butterflies and avifauna. Goats are ideal managers of cleared sites, as they love to tackle thorny bush overgrowth.

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Another important activity on these slopes was the quarrying and mining of limestone for the production of lime. The underground galleries, abandoned since 1973, are now a haven of peace for bats: 16 species have been recorded.

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The landscape between Machtum and Grevenmacher is also known for its fragility, with frequent landslide zones, as evidenced by the geomorphology and landslides at Longkaul, Haangeberreg and Deisermillen. These scree-filled slopes are home to wild-looking forests of natural succession.

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Carthusian carnation (Dianthus carthusianorum) : The Carthusian carnation is a typical plant of dry silicolous and calcicolous lawns. Well represented in the Luxembourg Ardennes, it has been reintroduced to the Haangeberreg site.

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Notched bat (Myotis emarginatus): This medium-sized bat has a typical notch on the outer edge of the ear (hence its French name). It hunts in an open landscape rich in deciduous forests, orchards, natural gardens and parks. The species is threatened by the depletion of its hunting grounds and the destruction of its roosts.

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Cétérach officinal (Asplenium ceterach): This evergreen fern forms dense rosettes. A very rare xerophytic plant in the Grand Duchy, it likes dry places, such as rock crevices and old limestone walls. It can adapt to periods of drought by rolling up its leaves to reduce evaporation.

Discover this site by combining two trails: the local trail E from Machtum, which climbs to the Haangebereg, and the wine and nature trail, which follows the slope to Grevenmacher. Use map and/or gpx route.

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Near Moersdorf, a small tributary of the Sûre, the Kauzebaach, has carved out a deep valley. On its south-facing slopes, at Wangertsbierg and Deiwelskopp, are some of the finest calcicolous dry grasslands in the Grand Duchy.

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The reserve is rich in species typical of limestone soils, notably orchids. The terraces and dry-stone walls bear witness to the site's former agricultural and wine-growing activities. Due to the low yield of the dry, nutrient-poor limestone soils, the terraces were abandoned long ago and woody vegetation took over. Similarly, the remaining dry grasslands are threatened by encroaching scrub. As part of the LIFE Orchis project, a massive clearing of undergrowth was carried out on the site to extend the open space of the dry grasslands and thus preserve the diversity of plant communities. Sheep grazing preserves the open environment.

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On well-developed dry grasslands, up to 50 different species of vascular plants can be found in just a few square metres. The fauna, attracted by the plant diversity, is even richer in species. The many species of butterfly, bat and bird found on the site bear witness to this.

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One of the site's star plants is the Pulsatilla Anemone (Pulsatilla vulgaris), which thrives in dry, open limestone environments. It grows to between 10 and 30 cm in height and has a large, violet flower that blooms between early April and late May. Its fruits, long, feathery achenes, are scattered by the wind, carried in the fur of animals or spread by crawling on the ground. Agricultural intensification on the one hand, and the abandonment of habitat management on the other, have led to a sharp decline in this species.

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Another rare plant on the site is the Michaelmas daisy (Aster amellus). This asteraceous plant, up to 60 cm high, with lanceolate leaves and purplish flowers, is characteristic of sunny limestone soils. Its late flowering, from late July to October, makes it an important source of food for pollinating insects.

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Among the 12 species of orchid present, Ophrys bumblebee (Ophrys fuciflora) is one of 3. These have the particularity of imitating the shape and scent of bees or flies, attracting males to transmit pollen from flower to flower.

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The Pearly Blue Argus (Lysandra coridon) is a small, light-blue butterfly, pearly in the male and brown in the female, whose caterpillar feeds on the Hairy Hippocrepid, a plant typical of calcareous lawns. The species is myrmecophilous, i.e. it associates with ants that protect the caterpillars in exchange for sweet secretions.

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Between Hoffelt and Antoniushof, upstream of the village of Neimillen, the Trëtterbach forms an extraordinary S-bend, crossing the rocky ridges of the Welfraulei and Moutschekaul, and meeting the Sporbaach from the right before continuing its course towards Neimillen. On this site, which is one of the last sections of the Trëtterbaach not accessible by farm machinery or cars, the Foundation owns around 8 ha of land. In nature conservation studies, the Trëtterbaach is described as a stream close to its natural state. This is still the case today for many stretches, but other sites, such as Breitwies, were laboriously rectified from the 19th century until the 1950s, to make it easier to mow the hay meadows. This creek area had long been known to local ornithologists, as it was home to a number of rare open-water bird species. Unfortunately, they witnessed the planting of spruce trees on the Breitwies pastures in the 1980s, which resulted in the disappearance of the habitat of the grassland birds, still very common at the time.

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Early on, the natur&ëmwelt Hëllef fir d'Natur Foundation tried to acquire these areas in order to restore them to their original state. After a number of unsuccessful negotiations under various INTERREG and LIFE projects, the project finally came to fruition in 2012, and the spruce stand was acquired. During the LIFE Eislek project, the felling of alien spruces, removal of branches, mulching of spruce stumps and transplanting of Japanese knotweed were commissioned. The areas were then fenced and extensively grazed. This transformation of one of the last spruce stands on the Tretterbaach alluvial plain has, among other things, made it possible to link the various moth populations in "Tretterbaach", "Sporbaach" and "Emeschbaach". Following the successful renaturation of a 350 m section at Léresmillen near Asselborn in 2016, the Breitwies brook section also found itself in the firing line for possible renaturation. After a complex planning phase, it was decided to make another section of the Trëtterbaach more natural, this time even extending to a 750 m-long stream area belonging to the foundation. In 2018, the stream, which had previously been straightened, was returned to its original bed, which is still clearly recognizable on aerial photos from the 1950s and 1960s. The complex planning of the "Remandrage" by the "Planungsburo Stream and River Consult" and the exact implementation by the "Geschw. Balter Bauunternehmung GmbH improved the structural diversity of the creek. The project was 100% financed by the "Water Management Fund", with pre-financing provided by the municipality of Wincrange. This gives the creek the breathing space it needs in the meadows of the region: flooding gives the creek the opportunity to continue to develop through erosion, and to form new high-quality habitats (e.g. new spawning grounds for fish). Once completed, the area has been leased to a local organic farmer and will be grazed and mowed by cattle as part of a biodiversity contract.The "Breitwies" valley is framed by wooded slopes. While the eastern part is dominated by deciduous forests on rocky ground, the foundation has been able to acquire further plots of spruce on the opposite slope. These stands will gradually be clear-cut and replanted with hardwoods and shrubs more typical of the site.

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The "Breitwies" has always been known to ornithologists for the presence of various species of grassland birds. These disappeared due to the spruce plantation of the time, but gradually returned after the stream was cleared and renaturated. The area is known to be crossed by black storks (Ciconia nigra) and little egrets (Ardea alba) in search of food. The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) and the meadow sparrow (Saxicola rubicola) are breeding birds often seen in the area, taking advantage of the plantations on the slopes. Black woodpeckers (Dryocopus martius) and great horned owls (Bubo bubo) have been observed in the forested areas surrounding the site. The renaturation of the creek benefits fish species such as brook trout (Salmo trutta fario), sculpin (Cottus gobio) and Planer's lamprey (Lampetra planeri).

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Since its foundation in 1985, the Mamer branch of natur&ëmwelt has been committed to acquiring land for nature conservation. The small orchard at Drumeschbësch, acquired in 1992, holds a special place in the hearts of the volunteers.

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A recent inventory carried out in the country by the Foundation identified 150 different varieties of apple, 100 varieties of pear, 80 varieties of cherry, 80 varieties of plum and stone fruit. Thanks to the various projects planned by the Foundation, a total of 2,400 high-stemmed fruit trees will be planted in 45 ha of conservatory orchards across the country, helping to preserve this natural heritage. A database for locating varieties completes the inventory: www.bongert.lu

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Orchards are among the most biodiverse natural environments, with species linked to both open and forested landscapes. Different conditions of temperature, sunshine and humidity vary greatly over a small area, creating diverse living environments.

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This orchard, surrounded by a magnificent hedge, was planted in 1992. Eighty fruit trees - apples, plums, plums and cherries - welcome insects and birds every year. Because of its proximity to the village, the Drumeschbësch orchard is part of the biology curriculum at the nearby local school, and pupils regularly take part in the activities of the natur&ëmwelt section.

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Two rows of the orchard have been planted with mirabelle plums (Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca), a fruit tree inseparable from Lorraine. The fruit is not only a "beauty to behold", but is also appreciated for direct consumption and pastries.

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The White-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), also known as the "wall nightingale", occupies wooded areas, as well as man-made wooded areas such as parks, gardens and orchards.

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Even in a small reserve, regular maintenance is essential. This includes replacing trees, replacing tree trunk protection, adding compost, checking and repairing fencing, and trimming hedges and overgrowth.

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The Ditgesbaach site is a small valley south of Ettelbruck, overlooking the Alzette alluvial plain. It is one of the largest groups of high-stem orchards in Luxembourg, with over 1,000 trees on a dozen hectares.

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Beneath the fruit trees, the extensive hay meadows are rich in flowers. On the heights, fragments of limestone lawns on the former terraces of a gypsum quarry stand out for their Mediterranean aspect. A spring, stream, pond, grove and hedges are just some of the biotopes that underline the special character of this area.

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This mosaic of habitats is essential for a multitude of insects that feed a diverse avifauna (more than 50 species recorded) and constitutes a hunting ground for bats.

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For many years now, local natur&ëmwelt representatives have been committed to safeguarding and promoting the Ditgesbaach site.

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On three plots, the Foundation was able to reconstitute an old orchard (1 ha) by planting around sixty trees, to maintain and restore an orchard (1.6 ha) of old apple trees (80 years old, mainly of the Ramborn variety) and to convert a hay meadow (2.6 ha) into a conservatory orchard.

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Old fruit trees with large crowns and cavities in trunks and branches are of vital importance to birds, bats and small mammals, which can nest or spend the night there.

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Field Knautie (Knautia arvensis) is a typical meadow plant found on dry to moderately damp sites. It was once used as a medicinal plant for eczema and scabies.

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A typical orchard bird is the Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis), which seeks its preferred food on the ground: ants and their larvae. It can find an ant farm by memory, even under a blanket of snow.

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The new conservatory orchard, planted with the help of the Rainforest.lu association, includes an assortment of over sixty old and local varieties of plum and cherry trees.

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Over the period 2013-2017, the CACTUS Group supported and sponsored the Foundation's activities in this nature reserve, including the "Bongert" habitat-themed educational trail where, on a 3 km loop, Amélie the bee (A. Bei), who lives in the orchard, tells us a story illustrated on a series of panels.

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The "Marais de Grendel" nature reserve covers an area of 4.37 hectares in the Attert valley, isolated in a modern rural landscape. Part of the European NATURA 2000 network of protected areas, it comprises a mosaic of wetland and extensive environments with areas of springs. Straddling the Belgian-Luxembourg border, it symbolizes good cross-border cooperation through joint management of an exceptional site.

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At the center of the site are two sections of low marsh, with fine assemblages of narrow-leaved cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium), Comaret (Comarum palustre) and marsh violet (Viola palustris). The most remarkable biotope is the remnant of alkaline Molinaie, an extremely threatened habitat, including numerous rare and endangered plant species, such as Bluish Sedge (Carex panicea), Creeping Willow (Salix repens) and Broad-leaved Orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis). One of the main objectives of the site's management is to expand this complex through appropriate management, in particular regular mowing of the megaphorbia zones. It was here that the Ligue luxembourgeoise pour la protection de la nature et de l'environnement (NATURA) acquired its first reserve in 1973. In 2009, the reserve was dedicated to the late Mr Jos Niederweis. It is equipped with a signpost, an observation platform to highlight the site's boundary markers, and a discovery trail.

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The eastern part is made up of birch, alder and willow trees, and is home to water clover (Menyanthes trifoliata) and sedge (Carex paniculata). The reserve is home to a number of interesting bird species, both migratory and breeding, such as the Verderola (Acrocephalus palustris). Two of the 287 cast-iron boundary markers on the Belgian-Luxembourg border, numbers 135 and 136, are located in the reserve. Inside the marsh, in the middle of the reed bed, one of the intermediate boundary stones, the limestone "LB135a", still exists in its original form.

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A 13 km cross-border circuit takes in Colpach-Bas castle and its surrounding park. The route passes through Petit-Nobressart, offering sweeping views over the Attert valley, before reaching the cross-border nature reserve.

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The Foundation's main missions include the acquisition and management of nature reserves. A first management measure when acquiring a wetland was to create pools and ponds to improve the mosaic of living environments. A total of 250 such ponds have been created since 1982. The recent acquisition of reserves in the Riedergrënn has added a further 11 ponds.

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Riedergrënn (literally "Roodt valley floor") is the name given to the valley of the Koulbich brook, a tributary of the Attert, which rises not far from Flatzbour. After the first third of its course, it absorbs its left-bank tributary, the Rennbach stream, with which it forms a typical Ardennes valley, steeply incised, with a narrow alluvial valley floor. This Y-shaped river cuts its narrow valley for 5 km, almost directly from north to south, before exiting the Ardennes at Petit-Nobressart.

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Hidden in the middle of a large forest, the ponds in this valley are particularly attractive for amphibians to breed, develop and hibernate. Avifauna find the shallow edges of the ponds ideal for breeding.

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Extensive pastures, alluvial hay meadows and alluvial forests complete the diversity of the valley's wetlands, which are particularly attractive to the black stork (Ciconia nigra), for example.

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The open aspect of the valley floor, with its ponds and pools, is a recent development: in 2001, most of the valley was still planted with coniferous trees, which have since been extensively converted to extensive wet meadows.

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Wood lysimachia (Lysimachia nemorum) likes shady areas with cool to damp soils, and is particularly fond of the contact zone between damp undergrowth and springs or wet pastures.

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The common sculpin (Cottus gobio), known in Luxembourgish as "Kauzekapp" because of its silhouette, is a fish found in the Koulbich stream. It inhabits river bottoms and is highly sensitive to water pollution.

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Discover this unique valley on a combination of three trails: the Riedergrënn nature trail from Roodt, the self-pedestrian trail from Rambrouch or the local trail Rambrouch 9. With a total length of 25 km, these trails cover the entire valley, but they are not consistently marked, so we recommend using the map and/or GPX route.

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The ruisseau Froumicht is a 3 km-long tributary of the Sûre to the west of Bigonville. It is formed by two small brooks that rise not far from the village and meet near one of the village's old wash-houses. The valley is characterized by wet meadows that are grazed and partly fallow.

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This valley has the particularity of having been a working area for two major LIFE projects, LIFE islek and LIFE Unio. First and foremost, it is of vital importance for the thick mullet (Unio crassus), which is well represented along the Sûre and needs a healthy fish population. Its host fish use the tributaries and migrate along these streams in search of spawning grounds. They are often blocked by impassable obstacles. Eight of these obstacles were removed and replaced by bridges as part of the LIFE Unio project, including one near the Froumicht washhouse.

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The fallow areas near the river mouth are bistort meadows and home to a population of bistort copper (Lycaena helle). These plots were safeguarded as part of the LIFE Eislek project.

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The stream's narrow alluvial zone functions as an important ecological corridor. It is extensively managed with two local farmers through summer grazing by horse and cattle.

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Meadow-suckle (Succisa pratensis), or devil's-bit, is a fairly rare plant of lean wet meadows, which is in decline due to drainage of wet meadows and agricultural intensification. Its popular name derives from the appearance of its rhizome, which appears "bitten" or cut.

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The black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) is the largest of the woodpeckers, and is particularly fond of large forests. Its presence is easily noticed by its two characteristic calls, a long, plaintive sound on the tree and a powerful "krukrukrukru" sound in flight.

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The Hockschlaed viewpoint is located at the top of Millefiels, a steep, rocky site at the foot of which the Foundation manages two extensive pastures along the banks of the Sûre.

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The "Groheck" in the municipality of Biwer is one of the smallest nature reserves of the Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur, with an area of 3.5 hectares, but it offers a great deal in terms of biodiversity. An important successional forest has developed from former vineyards and limestone quarries, offering refuge to numerous bird species, including the black flycatcher and the black woodpecker. The reserve is also home to four species of orchid and the wildcat.

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The first small plot of "Groheck" was acquired in 1956 by Gustave Hurt for the former LLEPO (Ligue luxembourgeoise pour l'étude et la protection des oiseaux). Over the years, thanks to donations, exchanges and acquisitions, the protected area has grown to 3.5 hectares.

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The composition of the "Groheck" includes a mixed deciduous forest of natural origin, with maples, sessile oaks, pedunculate oaks and hornbeams, growing partly on marked rocks. There is also interesting riparian vegetation along the Biwerbaach, a former mill ditch on the Marxmillen, an orchard and hedges on former terraces. The deciduous forest is home to large populations of the mascula orchid.

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Breeding birds include dipper (Cinclus cinclus), wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), black flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), chickadee (Parus ater) and garden creeper (Certhia brachydactyla). In 2017, the gray flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) was even observed for the first time.

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In the municipality of Weiler-la-Tour, an extensive Natura 2000 protected area stretches along the Briedemsbach, and the Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur plays an active role in its conservation. In recent years, new water bodies have been created, which are not only interesting for various plant and insect species, but also represent a magnet for migratory birds. A total of 40 Red List species can be found here, including snipe and lapwing.

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Since acquiring the first plot in 1981, the Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur and the Ligue pour la protection de la Nature et des Oiseaux have been working to safeguard the area's value. The site, although small, is extremely sensitive, and all human activity must be kept to a strict minimum during the migration period. This commitment demonstrates the importance we attach to preserving this delicate environment for biodiversity, particularly for migratory bird species.

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The Hetschendeltchen nature reserve near Heiderscheid was acquired by the Foundation in 1988, initially covering 2 hectares. Over the years, the reserve has been extended to include an orchard, several spring areas, wet wasteland and low grassland.

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The Wooschenterbaach, a small stream, flows into the Sûre after just 2.6 kilometers, but it has managed to carve out a typical Ardennes valley with an impressive drop of 220 meters. The difficulty of maintaining this area led to its abandonment by farmers, allowing bushes to thrive. Part of the valley has been reopened to grazing and agricultural management, with work starting in 2015. Fencing has been installed to allow Highland cows to play their role as landscape managers.

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Flax-leaved chickweed (Lathyrus linifolius) is found in meadows on slopes too steep to be fertilized. Its rhizomes have been known since the Middle Ages as a medicinal appetite suppressant. The common raven (Corvus corax), the world's largest passerine species, can also be seen in the region, with its distinctive voice and long, high beak.

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The deciduous forests on the steep, difficult-to-access slopes are the result of a natural succession of clearcuts caused by the damage caused by the severe storms of 1990. These forests feature majestic trees that add to the valley's distinctive charm.

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The local trail ES 12 descends along the Wooschenterbaach, offering an opportunity to discover the wildest part of the valley, downstream from the agricultural area.

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The landscape around the small village of Surré in the Grand Duchy is remarkable, marked by structuring elements such as hedges and isolated trees, as well as wetlands and extensive meadows of high biological value. The Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur is actively involved in preserving these unique environments.

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As part of the Action Plan for the Bistort copper (Lycaena helle), the Foundation is involved in butterfly monitoring using a transect system at sites where this butterfly may be present, including along the Sûre and its tributary the Syrbaach. The Foundation has undertaken conservation actions along the small tributary of the Bëttlerbaach, north of Surré, by removing a large proportion of the coniferous trees on wetland sites.

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Recently, the Foundation acquired a wet wasteland along the Bëtlerbaach, a lean meadow on the left bank of the valley, and an abandoned spring area. The meadow is currently being restored for extensive grazing with horses. The wet wasteland is regularly maintained over several years.

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Recent work includes manual clearing by Employment Forum teams in 2022, making possible later mowing by Softrak. River horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), often referred to as the "living fossil", is present in these wet environments, being one of the last survivors of a diverse group during the Carboniferous.

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The local fauna includes species such as the Little Pearly (Issoria lathonia), which can be recognized by the large, shiny pearly spots on the underside of its hind wings and is linked to wild violets for egg-laying. The marsh comaret plant (Comarum palustre), with its reddish-purple inflorescences, attracts pollinating insects such as wild bees and bumblebees.

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Ungrazed wetlands, such as the small "Aelbert" tributary valley, require regular maintenance work, often by hand, to preserve these fragile environments rich in biodiversity.

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The Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur owns around 50 hectares of land in the Kiischpelt, a region that owes its interest not only to its natural diversity, but also to its historical importance for the Luxembourg leather industry. Oak coppices, once essential to leather production, offer species-rich ecosystems in small areas, and the Foundation is committed to preserving them. A rare species to be found here is the hazel grouse, a bird whose population has declined in recent years due to the disappearance of its habitat. Conservation efforts for the heathlands also contribute to the preservation of traditional forms of land management, an important mission of the Foundation.

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Heaths and oak coppices

Until the early 20th century, oak bark was used to tan animal hides. To make leather, the Oesling's traditional beech forests were gradually transformed into pedunculate oak groves. The oaks were felled in spring every 15 to 30 years, with the bark used to make tannin and the wood for heating. The cleared land was sown with rye in the first year and buckwheat in the second. Broom, introduced in the third year, was used as bedding in the stables. The oak groves were then regenerated by stump sprouting, and the process began again. Since the abandonment of the leather industry, the landscape of the Luxembourg Ardennes has changed considerably, with oak coppice forests undergoing major transformation, many of them being planted with fast-growing conifers or transformed into high forest. Changes in agriculture since the Industrial Revolution have also contributed to the formation of a new landscape.

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Fauna and Flora

The area around Lellingen is typical of moorland and forest landscapes. Plants such as broom heather and pulsatilla vulgaris thrive on the poor, rocky soils. Thermophilous species such as lizards and garter snakes thrive here. During the heathland flowering season, many different insects can be observed. The region's forests are also home to many endangered bird species, such as the black woodpecker, the raven and the great horned owl, which nests on the rocky ridges. The wood grouse, considered almost extinct in Luxembourg, was once present in the region. Wild cat, deer, wild boar, badger and pine marten are also found in the species-rich forests, dominated by trees such as elm, maple, pedunculate oak and small-leaf lime.

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The Éislek Pad from Kautenbach passes through one of Natur's most beautiful Hëllef fir Foundation reserves and simultaneously explores one of the most remarkable parts of the Éislek, the Wiltz valley between the Geischelterbaach valley, part gully forest and alluvial forest, and the rocky Hoflee ridge with its breathtaking views.

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The Wiltz valley between Kautenbach and Goebelsmühle is considered a national hotspot for slope, scree and ravine forests. The linden forest (Tilio-Acerion), a habitat protected at European level, consists of a mixture of deciduous trees such as maple, linden, ash and elm, which thrive under extreme conditions such as steep slopes, unstable rocky soils and a cold, wet climate. As a result of historical coppice management, slope and ravine forests today can display the characteristics of an oak- or hornbeam-dominated forest, such as the large complex of the Geischelterbaach, a former hornbeam coppice. Tilio-Acerion characteristics can be found here, with a mixed forest of lime and maple, often on sunny, south-facing slopes. Near the viewpoint called Hockslee, an Ulmo-Aceretum gully forest remains, composed of elms and maples, on unstable slopes with little sunlight.

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The large-leaf basswood (Tilia platyphyllos) is known as the village tree, often located in the middle of houses, serving as a place of assembly or justice. Because of its healing powers, its bark was once associated with powerful spirits.

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The Smooth Coronelle (Coronella austriaca) is a small, harmless snake of the snake family, fond of moors, rifts and forest edges. Its name comes from the scales on its head, which form a large dark patch.

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The rocky spurs of the Eislek are known by the Luxembourg term "Lee". They are prominent ridges formed by erosion-resistant rock outcrops. The "Lee" symbolize the region's geology and waterways. A large forest fire started on August 3, 2018 from the Hoflee ridge, and the land ravaged by the fire is regenerating naturally, a process the Foundation is closely monitoring.

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The Ramescher nature reserve, located to the west of Troine and to the north of Wincrange, is a precious area covering the watershed of the "Ramescherbaach", a small tributary of the "Trëtterbaach". The ZH12 Ramescher protected area of national interest was designated on February 11, 1993 as the first nature reserve in the Eislek, comprising a core area of 11.40 ha and a buffer zone of 51.30 ha, of which natur&ëmwelt manages almost 10 ha.

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This region is characterized by its great diversity of meadows, pastures and fallow land. There are remnants of spikenard (Nardus stricta) grasslands, and in recent years, efforts have been made to deliberately establish arnica (Arnica montana) plants in these nutrient-poor areas, by sowing and planting shoots. Rare plants such as fetid clover (Menyanthes trifoliata), marsh blueberry (Comarum palustre) and various species of sedge (Carex sp.) enrich Ramescher's biodiversity.

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The "Tretterbaach" itself is home to biotopes and species worthy of protection, including the Planer lamprey (Lampetra planeri) and the sculpin (Cottus gobio). The area is also a nesting and resting place for numerous bird species, such as the black stork (Ciconia nigra), the red kite (Milvus milvus), the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) and the grey harrier (Circus cyaneus).

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The "Ramescher" is part of a functional metapopulation of the blue-winged moth (Lycaena helle), found along the Tretterbaach and its tributaries.

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However, the site's protected biotopes are under increasing pressure from the intensification of land use in the buffer zone. Phytosanitary spraying and intensive crop fertilization in the Ramescherbach watershed threaten not only the Ramecherbach biotopes, but also other areas worthy of protection along the Trëtterbaach. To preserve the condition of the area, proper maintenance is crucial, involving mowing, sheep grazing, regular clearing of undergrowth and upkeep of the arnica stands. Preserving this nature reserve also requires targeted efforts, including the acquisition of land in the buffer zone to mitigate the impacts of agricultural intensification.

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The "Rossmillen" site is an 18-hectare reserve, acquired in 2020, located near Binsfeld, at the confluence of the "Wemperbaach" and "Milleschleed" rivers, comprising three large ponds with their adjoining park and forest.

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In 1971, Hans-Joachim Schreiber acquired the land and developed the park, which still exists today, as well as the three large fish ponds. These large expanses of water, and the wet meadow upstream, deserve to be preserved as resting and breeding grounds for a large number of bird species adapted to wetlands.

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The forest area lies on either side of a rocky ridge and contains a variety of forest communities: oak coppice, beech forest, various areas of hardwood forest succession, maple and oak plantations, as well as Douglas-fir plantations and spruce forests.

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In collaboration with the responsible authorities, a renaturation of the "Wemperbaach" stream and ponds is planned, to improve the wetland mosaic and fish migration. An ecological improvement of the park is also planned.

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The aim of the measures taken in the forest zone is sustainable, near-natural forest management to avoid large-scale interventions such as clear-cutting. Clearcutting is forbidden! This approach prevents excessive sedimentation of the watercourse.

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Eventually, the older spruce forests at the bottom of the valley will be converted to an alluvial forest based on black alder (Alnus glutinosa).

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The river anodont (Anodonta anatina) is one of Europe's largest freshwater mussel species, living at the bottom of the water, partly in the mud, in slow-moving areas such as managed ponds.

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The coniferous forests on the south-facing rocky slope are already being logged with the aim of developing a mixed deciduous forest.

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One of the last "wild" valleys is one of the Foundation's privileged fields of action, the upper Our valley. Nearly 90 hectares of forests, pastures and hay meadows on our property surround one of our most beautiful sites: the Kalborn mill, acquired in 1997.

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The Kalborn mill is almost 300 years old, and has been turned over to nature conservation. Since 2007, the historic buildings have been gradually renovated - with the support of European projects (LIFE, Leader) and national partners (Grand Duchess Charlotte National Rescue Society, MDDI) - to house the Water Experience Center (WEZ), the freshwater mussel breeding station and a Natura 2000 room.

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The Water Experience Center (WEZ, Waasser Erliefnes Zenter) is an environmental (aquatic) education center for pupils and students, as well as private groups. It has been open since 2016.

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The shellfish station raises two endangered species: the pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) and the thick mullet (Unio crassus).

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Pearl mussels are very sensitive to water quality and cannot tolerate a high load of fine sediments. In addition, the water must be low in nutrients and remain cool in summer. Its complex life cycle, ecological requirements and longevity make it an "umbrella" species: protecting it means protecting an entire ecosystem. It lives half-buried in river beds, filtering up to 50 liters of water a day!

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The aim is to reintroduce mussels into suitable streams in the Greater Region (LU, BE, DE).

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In the Natura 2000 room, visitors can discover these European protected areas, their situation in Luxembourg and Europe, and the specific features of the "Vallée de l'Our".

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This trail allows you to discover the wildest and most isolated part of the Our valley. It combines two existing trails, which can be hiked together or separately. The trail runs alongside the Our river, through ravine forests and offers exceptional views.

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The Schujansbësch, the largest single-section forest estate of the Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur de natur&ëmwelt, lies north of Lieler, along the Réibaach. The area comprises the valley floor and adjacent slopes, mainly facing north.

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Clearcutting for a new forest! A large proportion of the Foundation's forests originate from former clearcuts of spruce stands, which were gradually converted to natural and semi-natural deciduous forests through plantations or natural succession. The purchase of the large Schujansbësch clear-cut in the mid-1990s, which was much criticized at the outset, has enabled the site's biodiversity to be considerably enhanced thanks to appropriate management and the creation of a forest discovery area accessible to all.

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An area of 20.6 hectares in the eastern part was not replanted, but left largely to evolve freely. In the course of natural succession, the herbaceous vegetation that colonizes the clearcut in the early years is gradually replaced by pioneer species such as birch, willow and bird's-eye mountain ash. In a later stage, beech trees grow in the shade of this pioneer forest. The beech forest is the final or climatic stage in the evolution of the forest in our latitudes.

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The western part of the site was replanted with deciduous trees. The species planted were chosen to suit the site: mainly beech and oak, but also sycamore maple and ash.

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In search of food, the black stork (Ciconia nigra) often visits open spaces within forested areas, such as here the valley floor of the "Reibaach", which has been partially restored to pasture from a former spruce forest.

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A 3.1-hectare dry silicolous heather lawn has been restored on the upper slope. In April, a large flock of sheep begins its annual roaming season here.

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The site's other name, Cactusbësch, comes from a partnership with Cactus supermarkets, which enabled the Foundation to install an educational trail here, inviting visitors to discover the different forest environments.

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Hikers will discover the historic remains of the Meuse-Moselle canal and pass by exceptional biotopes, such as a peat bog and a complex of wet wastelands home to rare butterflies and amphibians.

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In the center of the Kaleburn is a peat bog, which has been able to develop thanks to specific site conditions: a high Ardennes plateau forming a basin, poorly draining soils favoring the accumulation of rainwater, high rainfall and low average temperatures. Downy birches (Betula pubescens), with mantles of sphagnum moss (the moss that forms peat) around their trunks, have established themselves here. Surveys have identified a total of 61 species of moss, including 19 species of sphagnum moss. The sphagnum peat bog is a very special habitat, extremely rare in Luxembourg, and protected at both national and European level.

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Wet wasteland and bistort meadows frame this bryological "hot spot", which should be conserved as a priority, and provide egg-laying sites for two glacial relict butterflies, the Bistort Pearly (Boloria eunomia) and the Bistort Copper (Lycaena helle). In 1978, entomologist Marcel Hellers observed Lycaena helle for the first time in Luxembourg. The site features several water bodies, one of which is home to the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), a relatively common species in Gutland, but very rare in Oesling.

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Bistorta (Bistorta officinalis), a member of the Polygonaceae family, is an edible plant, formerly used for medicinal purposes, typical of the wetlands of the Eislek. It has characteristic pink flower inflorescences. Bistort is the essential host plant for the Bistort Copper (Lycaena helle). The butterfly only lays its eggs on bistort leaves, the exclusive food of its caterpillars.

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The Kaleburn brook flows upstream from Hoffelt into a 1,350 m long "canyon", with a maximum depth of 11 m. This is an artificial valley, the access trench for the underground canal that was to link the Meuse and Moselle watersheds by a navigable waterway, an ambitious project of the King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 1825. The tensions caused by the Belgian Revolution, the construction of the railroad and the establishment of the Belgian-Luxembourg border in 1839 sounded the death knell for the project.

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In the immediate vicinity of the small village of Hannerhaasselt, west of Troine in the municipality of Wincrange, lies the "Borby" nature reserve, named after the locality of the same name. The area is marked by the Trëtterbach and its small tributary, the Habich. The presence of these two streams has given rise to a mosaic of wet wastelands, spikenard meadows and marshy meadows. A former quarry, acquired by the Foundation, is also part of the area. These biotopes constitute an important habitat for a multitude of threatened plant and animal species. The reserve lies within two Natura 2000 protection zones and has yet to be designated a protected area of national interest.

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The "Borby / Hannerhaasselt" nature reserve is known as a feeding and breeding ground for many bird species. This is why the foundation has focused on acquiring as much of the area as possible to protect and maintain. Some ornithologists may have expressed concern when parts of the area were reforested with spruce. That's why one of the first measures taken in the mid-90s and early 2000s was to remove the alien spruces from the site. Today, this acid zone is dominated by mullein and borage, and as part of the LIFE Arnica project, seeds and seedlings of Arnica montana have been sown and planted. The presence of arnica does, however, entail complex maintenance measures. While areas of spikenard should be grazed early in the year, areas of wild buckwheat should not be grazed until later in the year. This is because the blue moth is also found in the area and, during its flight period, needs Japanese knotweed to lay its eggs, as it is its host plant. To avoid these conflicts, we use a mixture of tractor mowing, sheep grazing, motorized brushcutting and rotary mowing, always working on other areas of the reserve.

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The area around the "Trëtterbaach" is renowned for its rich flora. The wet meadows and fallow land are an important refuge for rare species and also have the essential function of a water retention basin. The area is therefore home to species adapted to these wet, marshy plots, including numerous species of sedge and rush such as Carex demissa, Carex nigra, Carex ovalis, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Juncus squarrosus, etc. Other typical plant species include yarrow (Achillea millefolium), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), smartweed (Bistorta officinalis), narrow-leaved cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) and marsh cirse (Cirsium palustre). On drier sites, where there was once a spruce forest, we now find species typical of spikenard lawns, such as stiff spikenard (Nardus stricta) or arnica (Arnica montana).

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Wet surfaces and the plants that grow on them attract a multitude of different insects. These include various species of dragonfly, as well as butterflies such as Aporia crataegi, Araschnia levana, Boloria eunomia, Lycaena helle and Boloria selene. This diversity of insects is in turn a source of food for amphibians and birds, such as the common wagtail (Motacilla alba) and the spring wagtail (Motacilla flava). This is also the case for the meadow sparrow (Saxicola rubetra), which has disappeared from Luxembourg as a breeding bird, but can still be seen in the region as a migrant. Birds of prey also benefit from the abundance of food in wet meadows and streams. Birds of prey such as the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), the red kite (Milvus milvus) and the black kite (Milvus migrans), the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and the great horned owl (Bubo bubo) can be seen here, as well as smaller birds of prey such as the grey shrike (Lanius excubitor) and the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio). Waterfowl such as the common sandpiper (Tringa ochropus), grey (Ardea cinerea) and white (Ardea alba) egrets, black stork (Ciconia nigra) and grey crane (Grus grus) are also regular visitors to the area.

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The 16.5 km-long valley of the Troine stream, the Trëtterbaach, is well known to ornithologists for its bird diversity. In 2014, an important refuge area for birds typical of extensive meadows was safeguarded near Léeresmillen. This wetland reflects the importance of the Trëtterbach and its tributaries, which are surrounded by small wetlands and marshes, as well as a few rare hay meadows. These are essential habitats for many endangered birds, such as the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), the grey shrike (Lanius excubitor), the meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis), and the common snipe (Gallinago gallinago).

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Upstream of the site, the Trëtterbaach still meanders naturally through the alluvial plain. Downstream, it was re-channelized in 2016 over a length of around 300 meters, thanks to state (Water Management Fund) and European (LIFE-Nature Fund for the LIFE Éislek project) funding, with the support of a sponsor (RBC Bank). Aquatic habitats such as spawning grounds for brown trout and common sculpin (Cottus gobio) have been multiplied. The added value for both man and nature comes in the form of improved water retention during floods and a reconnection of the river with its alluvial plain. The meadows on the redeveloped alluvial plain are managed through extensive grazing thanks to collaboration with local farmers.

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Ivy-leaved buttercup (Ranunculus hederaceus) is a small, endangered plant that lives at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Its habitats include spring areas, low marshes, dry banks of ponds and small rivers.

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The Planer lamprey (Lampetra planeri) has a naked, anguilliform body measuring 12 to 20 cm and a mouth without jaws but equipped with a sucker. Requiring small, clean streams rich in detritus and sediment banks, it benefits particularly from renaturation.

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The Spring Wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a small, migratory passerine bird with bright yellow, green and blue-gray hues, which nests in wetlands or agricultural areas. Its decline is mainly due to the intensification of farming practices, notably early and repeated mowing during the nesting season.

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In 2019, the newspapers announced the sad news: the once widespread Meadow Prat (Saxicola rubetra) had officially disappeared as a breeding species. Its last refuge was in the extensive wetland, where it can still be seen during migration.

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In 2010, the Foundation acquired a large group of intensively farmed plots in the Emeschbaach area, in a landscape devoid of ecological structures. The aim was to convert the land and support farming that respects the environment and natural resources, while developing a richly structured landscape with a mosaic of habitats.

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Since November 2011, several partners have been working together to enhance this agricultural landscape:

• For 7 years, the Employment Forum has cultivated several hectares of vegetables for its "Am Gaertchen" project.
• The small herd of Galloway cows, initially managed by CNDS Naturaarbechten and now by an organic farmer from Hupperdange, spends the winter on land equipped with the cattle shelter built in 2013 by the LIFE Eislek project.
• The "Naturhaff" organic farm in Derenbach manages the majority of its farmland using no-till farming techniques.

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Two conservatory orchards of 230 fruit trees (115 old varieties of plum and cherry) are managed according to the agroforestry model. The spacing of fruit trees makes it possible to combine crops with the soil, an ancient practice that has disappeared from our landscapes despite its advantages in terms of biodiversity and agronomic yield. Ecological enhancement of the Ardennes landscape is achieved through the creation of new habitats and ecological corridors (hedges, solitary trees, copses, ponds, herbaceous strips, wasteland, etc.).

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European fusain (Euonymus europaeus), a small, poisonous shrub called "Pafenhittchen" in Luxembourgish, or bishop's cap because of the appearance of its pink-orange-capped fruits, is frequently found in our natural hedges.

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The red kite (Milvus milvus), an elegant bird of prey easily recognized by its sharply notched tail and white spots under the wings, loves the open spaces of the Wincrange plateau to hunt small rodents.

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The song of the skylark (Alauda arvensis) is easily recognizable. Changes in farming practices and a decline in insect numbers have led to a dramatic population collapse of almost 60% over the last twenty years.

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The former Asselborn slate quarry, dating from the 17th century, where shale was extracted horizontally and vertically to depths of 110 meters, is now home to a remarkable colony of bats.

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Cornelysmillen is one of the Foundation's flagship reserves. Since 1984, land has been acquired in this vast wetland area encompassing the alluvial plain of the Woltz and its tributaries, the Weierbaach, Kléngelbaach and Stauwelsbaach. The site features streams, ponds and wet meadows, and the landscape is reminiscent of the High Fens.

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Over time, the traditional use of hay meadows and pastures has been abandoned in favor of more profitable conifer plantations. This change led to the regression of a multitude of characteristic species. Once the conifers had been removed, extensive grazing with hardy sheep was reintroduced. Clearing and mowing are necessary to prevent colonization by woody vegetation and encourage the return or maintenance of rare species such as narrow-leaved cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) and marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre). Former fishponds have been redeveloped to provide a suitable habitat for aquatic birds, and a large number of new ponds are home to amphibians.

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Numerous red-listed bird species have been observed in the reserve, including the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), several pairs of which nest on the site. Between July and August, the black stork (Ciconia nigra) frequents the site in search of food. The cranberry (Oxycoccus palustris) has found its last refuge here. This small berry-bearing shrub with very spindly stems is closely related to the American cranberry. It grows only in peaty marshes in the company of sphagnum mosses.

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For some years now, the Foundation has been able to count on another wetland manager: the European beaver (Castor fiber) takes great pleasure in reorganizing streams, ditches and bodies of water. The bistort pearlwort (Boloria eunomia) is linked to its host plant, bistort knotweed (Bistorta officinalis). The caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of this plant. The butterfly flies in one generation between late May and early July. The trail can be combined with the Sentier des passeurs (Path of the Smugglers), which bears witness to the escape of resistance fighters during the Second World War. It also takes in the biodiversity island of wetlands along the Klengelbaach stream.

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Located at the northern tip of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Conzefenn site encompasses a mosaic of wetland habitats along the Fennbaach and Kailsbaach streams, which feed the Weiswampach artificial lakes. The Foundation's property covers an area of 13.92 ha, in a landscape of "-fenn" (French for "fagne"), meaning muddy, marshy or even peaty land.

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The Conzefenn is best known for its remnants of lean grasslands with steep ards (Nardus stricta) and arnica (Arnica montana). The LIFE-Nature Arnikawiesen project aimed to preserve and restore these rare habitats, threatened by eutrophication due to excessive agricultural fertilization, among other factors. The mountain arnica population was stabilized and expanded thanks to sound management measures, such as the restoration of alluvial bottoms following the removal of spruce trees, the development of extensive agriculture and the control of wetland overgrowth. The source area of the Fennbaach brook forms a fairly wide funnel, characterized by areas of sparse grassland and residual acidic fen vegetation. The Kailsbaach brook flows through a large area of alluvial forest, with wooded peat bogs such as sphagnum birch.

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Mountain arnica (Arnica montana) is a mountain plant typical of acidic, nutrient-poor soils. The population is restored by planting seedlings from local seeds.

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The little silver collar (Boloria selene) - recognizable by the black spot on its ventral side - is linked to its host plants, from the violet family, whose leaves are the sole food of the butterfly's caterpillars.

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The late Jean Werner, an eminent bryologist, confirmed the site's exceptional biodiversity by listing 84 species of moss, including 10 different sphagnum mosses. The only Luxembourg population of English broom (Genista anglica), one of the smallest brooms, 10 to 40 cm high and with spines, was identified along the Kailsbaach.

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