Apr 16, 2024
Transforming depleted farmland into new mixed-species forest
EcoTree transforms depleted agricultural land into a new near-natural forest in Holbæk Municipality.
EcoTree is launching a third sustainable forest project in Denmark, this time on the island of Orø in the Isefjord. Here, we are transforming two former agricultural areas of 9.9 hectares into a sustainable forest in Holbæk Municipality. The area may seem small, but it will benefit the climate, biodiversity, and the local community.
The heart-shaped island in the Isefjord
Our Orø-Margrete Forest is named after Margrete I, Denmark's first female queen, who reigned from 1387 to 1412 and left behind a vast regency. The queen spent a lot of time on the island, often hunting.
The area is designated with special groundwater interests, a coastal proximity zone, and a particularly valuable agricultural area. It is described as an island community with a slightly hilly landscape and agriculture. In several places on the island, there is a clear connection to the fjord in the form of old fishermen's houses and the two ferry piers. There is relatively little vegetation on the island. However, there are several young forests, which, over time and together with this forestry project, will become prominent vegetative elements in the landscape.
More than 40,000 trees
The Orø-Margrete Forest will consist of two connected forest areas, with more than 40,000 trees of 10 different species, bringing nature back to the local area and allowing biodiversity to flourish.
The first trees will be planted in the spring of 2024, with the forestry team primarily planting Winter Oak and Common Beech, as well as Hornbeam, Common Beech, and Larch, to make the forest more diverse and resilient. It is extremely important to create a sustainable forest with different tree species that provide variety, thus ensuring the forest's resilience to climate change. A forest edge will also be planted, which will occupy 3.3 hectares of the area, all the way around the forest, to create a good forest climate and increase the biological value of the forest.
A forest for the benefit of biodiversity
Every small action is crucial in restoring and enriching nature in our forests. While our area may seem small, it greatly impacts local plant and animal life.
We're passionate about creating the best environment for trees and biodiversity, so we closely monitor how local nature evolves. Our approach to forestry is about working with nature and creating habitats for endangered species. This means prioritising native plants and animals, leaving dead wood in the forest to create habitats and ensuring the forest remains diverse and vibrant. Even small actions like preserving old trees and establishing forest edges can make a big difference.
Buy trees in the Orø-Margrete forest
The 130 first tree owners
130 backers helped support the kickoff of this forest project through a crowdfunding campaign run on Coop Crowdfunding, which helped us initiate the first preparational work for the plantings. Thus, the first 345 trees in the forest got owners before even being put into the ground. You can also support the project and become a tree owner by getting a tree that will be planted in our Orø-Margrete Forest.
In symbiosis with Orø Fællesjord
On neighbouring land, we have helped Orø Fællesjord start an agroforestry adventure - a community-owned forestry project that will enrich our forest project and benefit the entire local community. We've already taken the first steps with baseline biodiversity measurements and planned several exciting initiatives to ensure that flora and fauna thrive in cooperation with the association. This isn't just a forest project; it's an adventure, and we can't wait to see how it will flourish and enrich our local community.
