Fijnaart and Zevenbergschen Hoek Are Becoming Much Greener
Fijnaart and Zevenbergschen Hoek will soon become much greener and more wildlife-friendly. Residents of these villages have been ordering plants, birdhouses, and bat boxes en masse through the “Nature in the Neighborhood” project, which will be distributed during the “Greening Days” on November 2 and 9. On those days, the first climate trees will also be planted, and the “Tegeltaxi” will be driving around to remove unnecessary paving from gardens.
In recent weeks, staff from Natuur in de Wijk went door-to-door in Fijnaart and Zevenbergschen Hoek to offer advice: which plants would a garden benefit from, and where would a nesting box for bats, swifts, or pied flycatchers be best placed? Residents were then able to order those nesting boxes, brightly blooming plants, and fruit trees for free.
Green Days on November 2 and 9
The plants and birdhouses that have been ordered will be distributed on the first two Saturdays in November. In Fijnaart, distribution will take place on November 2 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Voorstraat 17. In Zevenbergschen Hoek, distribution will take place on November 9 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the field across from De Zevensprong at Olavstraat 29.
Tegeltaxi: Help and Advice
During the “Vergroendagen,” residents can also get involved themselves: anyone who wants to remove tiles from their garden can sign up at klimaat@moerdijk.nl (providing their name and address). On Greening Day, a “Tile Taxi” will be driving around to pick up the tiles for free. In addition, the climate mayors, an advisor from the Steenbreek Foundation, and staff from the municipality and Natuur in de Wijk will be on hand to provide practical assistance and greening advice.
5,400 plants, 250 birdhouses
About 1,000 hedge plants, 400 fruit trees and berry bushes, and 4,000 perennials will be distributed in the two villages, along with another 250 boxes for bats, swifts, and pied flycatchers. “This makes a major contribution to biodiversity within the built-up area,” said Councilman Bennie Blom. In addition, the municipality plans to plant a large number of trees this coming winter. “That’s good for both people and animals, because trees significantly cool the environment and thus reduce heat stress. In the spring, several flower fields will likely be planted as well.”
Climate Trees
On November 2, the greening map recently adopted for the village of Fijnaart will also be presented there. It outlines all the projects that will make Fijnaart more biodiverse and climate-resilient in the coming years—in other words, better able to withstand heat and flooding. The greening map for Zevenbergschen Hoek will follow in late November. The first “climate trees” marked on these greening maps will already be planted during the Greening Days.
Last Chance
Residents of the Fijnaart and Zevenbergschen Hoek urban areas who missed the promotion still have another chance. Any remaining plants and birdhouses can still be ordered through the Natuur in de Wijk website. The next (and final) distribution round will take place in early 2025. Order soon, because due to high demand, the available supplies are almost gone.
A Greener Moerdijk
"Nature in the Neighborhood" is a project by Orbis and Natuurbalans-Divergens, funded through a grant program from the province of North Brabant aimed at greening urban areas. The municipality of Moerdijk has nominated Fijnaart and Zevenbergschen Hoek for the 2024 grant year, as these villages are already working on greening plans. Greening plans and initiatives will also be implemented in the other villages and towns in Moerdijk in the coming years.