Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Nature Park Rivierenland, Mechelen, and Natuurpunt aim to restore Muysenhuys into wetlands. €350,000 is still needed, but 30 investors have already joined. The main figures are Calvo and Iwens.
As VRT News reported, Nature Park Rivierenland, a partnership between Mechelen and Natuurpunt, bought a large estate called Domein Muysenhuys. The estate has fields, forests, a park with a pond, and a tree-lined road. They plan to change it to help the wet environment in the area. They want to make the land wet again by bringing back the natural water levels.
They mentioned that this will create wetlands that soak up rainwater, stop floods, cool things down, and give homes to plants and animals. Kristof Calvo, who is in charge of Nature and Green Development, says these areas are important to make Mechelen a better place to deal with climate change and a better place to live all year.
How will Mechelen and 30 companies help revive Muysenhuys?
According to officials, many groups are helping to change the Muysenhuys area. Companies and funds are giving money to support the project. Volunteers and community groups are also helping by planting trees and taking care of the land. The city and Natuurpunt want to make Muysenhuys a place to learn about nature and get involved. They mentioned that it will be a place for nature, history, and education.
The plan includes making the land wet again and connecting the Dijle River to the reserves. This will allow the area to hold more water, which helps prevent floods. To buy the Muysenhuys land and make this happen, €350,000 more is needed. The city of Mechelen and Natuurpunt started a program called Business for Nature to ask companies for help.
Since April 2025, 30 companies have joined. Officials mentioned that they understand that businesses can help protect the environment. Their money helps buy the land and shows that business and nature can work together.
According to the officials, the Muysenhuys project is an important part of a larger plan for nature in Mechelen and the Dijle valley. It sits between 2 big nature reserves, Mechels Broek and Mispeldonk. By connecting these areas, the project will create a bigger area of wetlands and forests.
Nils Iwens says that small nature areas can’t do all the work needed for water and wildlife. This new, bigger area will be better at dealing with problems like droughts, floods, and loss of plants and animals. It will also help plants and animals to grow and change with the climate.
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