11 municipalities of Oost Brabant take up the challenge of the 2010 target

30 October 2008, Leuven (Belgium). Coordinated by a local NGO Natuurpunt, 11 municipalities of the Belgian Province of East Brabant joined Countdown 2010 with a local campaign “Charter for biodiversity in East Brabant”. Natuurpunt is a network of committed volunteers which manages more than 2,600 ha of nature reserve in East Brabant. The objectives of the campaign include spreading the message of the importance of 2010 target and providing support to municipalities for the implementation of the action programs. Natuurpunt is supported by the Province of Flemish Brabant and its commitment complements the efforts already underway in other regions in Belgium, such as the Province of Antwerp and of Limburg.

In the framework of this campaign, a wide range of measures have been adopted by the municipalities, such as financial support for the acquirement of valuable natural areas; conservation aimed at species, such as rare butterflies, amphibians or bats; initiatives to stop the decline of species which were once common in urban areas (e.g. swift, house martin) or in a rural environment (e.g. skylark, yellowhammer). Specific attention also goes to the creation and management of corridors, such as nature-friendly road verges.

List of the municipalities:

Gemeente Begijnendijk
Gemeente Bekkevoort
Gemeente Bierbeek
Gemeente Diest
Gemeente Geetbets
Gemeente Herent
Gemeente Leuven
Gemeente Lubbeek
Gemeente Overijse
Gemeente Tienen
Gemeente Zoutleeuw

• Map of Countdown 2010 partners in the province
• Natuurpunt website
• Natuurpunt on Countdown 2010 website