What was once agricultural land is now a new nature reserve between the Zuidlaardermeer and the between water. The area with the name Noordma was officially opened yesterday. Together with surrounding nature reserves, Noordma forms a continuous green area in the current valley of the Hunze.
With the design of Noordma, the landscape gets a dual function: space for nature and water. The area is designed as a so -called transit axis, in which water can be retained or removed in a natural way. This helps with drought and flooding.
“The area contributes to water safety,” says Uko Vegter of the Drents Landschap. “If it is very wet, then you can hold water here. And if it is very dry, it is not too dry here, because you have and keeps a lot of water here. In that sense, it is also a nice addition for the water board that you have such an area.”
The arrival of Noordma also means a lot for life under and above water. In the swampy area, plants, birds, fish and mammals are given the space to settle. “This is going to be an area where, for example, the beaver will play a role, just as he does that in other places, and the landscape will be part of it. It is the birds, the mammals, but also plants, it is a combination of everything,” says Vegter.
The work in the area has been carried out step by step in recent years. For example, the Oostermoer pumping station was adjusted, a new bridge was constructed on the Hunzeweg between the quarry and Zuidlaren, and its cables, pipes and trees removed where necessary.
What is striking about the area is that visitors can follow the development closely. “The great thing is, everyone can just experience this up close. You can just follow it from month to month, from year after year how such an area develops and what happens. You can go all the way around, very nice to see what Noordma can be in the coming years,” Vegter says enthusiastically.
The project is a collaboration between Prolander, Water Board Hunze and Aa’s, municipality of Tynaarlo and the Drentse Landschap Foundation. Financing comes in part from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.