First willowbranches installed along the EcoWal (boulevard)

The EcoWal along the walkingboulevard is looking fantastic! It took a little longer to establish than expected, but it has now grown into a real gem.

One challenge we continue to face, however, is litter. Bottles, corks, polystyrene, bottle caps, syringes (yes, unfortunately those too), and all kinds of small plastic waste are regularly washed into the EcoWal by for example wave action.

Unlike our EcoWal at the DNB location, the walkingboulevard section does not yet have protective willow branches. That's about to change. These natural willow structures help reduce wave action, make it easier to collect floating litter in one place, and provide valuable habitat for wildlife both above and below the water.

Fortunately, our EcoRanger David still had several willow branches available, complete with thriving water mint, making them the perfect addition to this location. The water mint may look a little droopy right now, but it will soon stand tall again.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be adding even more willow branches, known locally as wiepen. These natural structures provide perches for birds, spawning habitat for fish, help calm the water, and offer extra protection for the EcoWall. And as an added bonus, they look beautiful too.