The Firewatch

Water retention

Building ponds, swales and dams slow the water down when it rains. It allows water to seep into the ground and refill the groundwater. Vegetation gets an opportunity to build up soil and access groundwater.

Swales collect water

Invasive tree removal

Mimosa is an exotic tree that catches fire easily and spreads like a weed. They help restoring the soil and provide shelter for young native species.

At the moment, young pines are growing. Prone to forest fires, Pine trees also use much more water than deciduous trees.

Because they do prepare the soil for native trees, we select carefully, harvest them slowly for firewood (rocketstove) and shred them for biomass.

Mimosa is an invasive species

Planting and protecting

We planted more than 7000 trees. Now nature selects and takes over. We want this to be a natural forest. Not what we think is a natural forest. There are many seeds from native trees in the ground (seed bank). They have the genetic information to survive here.

We will leave trees and bushes standing for shade and protection of the young trees, only creating habitats for native vegetation to grow by selective cutting of non-native, invasive species. No clear cutting or removal of old trees because old and dead wood contributes to a more vital forest.

First years there will be corridors for wildfires, later replaced by fire-resistant cork oaks.

Protected and shaded Oak seedling

Preserve old species

On the land is an old abandoned orchard. Bad pruning, wide empty spaces around individual trees, soil degradation and other factors left the fruit and nut trees on the verge of dying. We are helping them restore vigour by pruning ones that need it. We interplant with native species, so the new growth can protect the old trees from wind, frost and heat.

The first rows of the syntropic forest.

Fast soil building

In between the native trees that grow in a fully developed forest, fast growing trees and shrubs are planted. They provide shade and can withstand heavy pruning. By pruning them, biomass is quickly build up and it promotes growth of the trees itself and of the vegetation around them.

No machinery is used and the current walking paths will slowly diminish and be hand plowed to prevent the soil from compacting.

An uncompacted soil, rich with biomass that decomposes and sheltered from the sun by vegetation is the very basis on which a forest can thrive. It stores water well and has a thriving microbiome, feeding the roots of the plants.

Elderberry is a plant that can be heavily pruned.

Edible plants

Fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, perennual vegetables and in the first few years annual vegetables are grown in between. They are species that belong in a growing young forest (forest edge) and provide food.

Fruit and nut trees in a syntropic forest are known to yield exceptional quality and quantity of harvests, because of the rich soil and the different species of plants surrounding them.

Harvests will be bountyfull.

About me

My dream is to live an outdoor life in a debt-free, natural home, on land where nature thrives and reaches its natural state while providing food. A place to call home.

Where home is more than just a house. A breathtaking, natural space as a refuge and a shelter, but also to share and grow. A haven for the storm, for every living being. A home to start journeys from. Far into high mountains and deep into wild forests.

I looked for a place where I could implement my passion: Rewilding. Using my background as a biologist to help nature regenerate.

So here I am. Started in 2022. Lets see where it takes us.

The land

The 5 hectares of land containes around 4 biotopes. Streamside, open flat land, Sheltered north side of a hill, Exposed south side of a hill. All require different combinations of trees and other plants.

Food forest

There is an old orchard, grown over vineyard and olive garden. The hillside and a small grove where a tributary flows provides a perfect spot for the high nut trees of a food forest, while the orchard will be replanted and expanded with companion plants to make it more natural and provide the fruit trees with the support of nitrogenfixers, insect attractors and masking flowering plants.

The hills

The hills will be reforested with native forest. The open flat land will be partly forested with a waterfront forest.

Mountainbike

A small bikepark for mountainbiking will be constructed, using swales and walking paths. All build with natural materials.

The area

Regeneration

The native forest along the stream is a great starting point for reforestation. It provides seeds and a natural nursery for trees. It protects the trees that will be planted on its border, expanding the coverage of native forest.

The stream and its small (now seasonal) tributaries from the mountains itself provides water and a temperature buffer for the forest around it.

Local community involved

The local community wants to reforest and several projects are already underway in the next valley. This project connects the native forest along the stream with the projects from other villages.

Activities

There are beautiful walking paths to enjoy the nature already there. Some very nice cross country mountainbike possiblilities are there. Road or gravel biking is a great activity with the low traffic and amazing rolling hills.

A survival camp and natural obstacle courses are gonna be build to provide possibilites for outdoor sports.

Inspirational

An excellent documentary that shows the effect and challenges that this project (will) face. Although it is on the other side of the world, most apply to this area.

Gorse, fires, local communities. All similar aspects that we are dealing with here.

Technical

An amazing example of how you can reforest and benefit local people. He gives a few measured ecological benefits of reforesting, therefore providing a solid base for his claims. Not all seems valid, but the overall message is one that gave me the inspiration to dedicate my life to reforestry.

Practical

A very well known example, but if you did not know, check it out!