In Flanders, according to figures from Natuurpunt, there is a potential of 147,000 hectares of wetlands that can be restored. Of those lands, just under 50,000 hectares are in a green destination. Natuurpunt is responsible for almost 1,500 hectares of this. The organization has selected eighteen nature reserves throughout Flanders, which will be restored.
In West Flanders this concerns the Uitkerkse Polder in Blankenberge and the City Walls of Damme.
Three of the selected areas are in the Dender region, which recently experienced flooding. This concerns, for example, the Markvallei, on the border of Galmaarden and Geraardsbergen in East Flanders. In addition to the Markvallei, the Sint-Onolfspolder and the Hogedonk are being renovated in East Flanders. For Antwerp, the areas Rivierenland, Krabbels-Lovenhoek, Visbeekvallei, De Maat-Den Diel, Vallei van de Maasloop, Breeven and De Vennen have been chosen. In Limburg, De Maten, the Abeek Valley, the Dommel Valley and the Hageven are being tackled, and in Flemish Brabant, the Zuun Valley and the Grote Gete Valley are also being tackled.
The Wetland Plan costs 30 million euros. Financing comes from the European Union via Interreg Blue Transition and LIFE Wetlands4Cities, and from Flanders via the Blue Deal. Natuurpunt itself invests 4.5 million euros.