Looking for extravagance in nature management? Okay, the Danish experiment with circus elephants as grazers in a nature area is a tough one to beat. But undoubtedly Holland has the highest surprise density. Blame it on the high population density in a fertile river delta, where bricks, agriculture and our fellow species vi for room.
Let’s do a bit of (pre)history. Once mankind had entered the primeval marshy forested delta, soon a farm land patchwork ensued, creating a great varied habitat for many ‘new’ species. At the same time other wildlife was pushed back. Wolf, bear and lynx, aurochs, giant deer and beaver disappeared. Much to the relief of harassed smallholders, always dreading the damage nature could do to their frail shacks and crops.
But with the development of cities and a modern industrialized farming, biodiversity dramatically declined. A conservation movement and, in the eighties, daring ‘rewilding’ ideas arose. Fear for the wilderness has become outdated, ecologists reasoned, and holding on to every single species in our overcrowded polders makes for absurd ‘nature gardening’. Why not restore the wild to some of its stone age splendor? Let nature be its own keeper. Just a kick start, and then: hands off!
Ever since, Dutch biologists have spearheaded Europe’s spreading rewilding efforts. They were behind the European Union’s Natura 2000 nature areas network. And they reintroduced big grazing animals, so as to make prehistoric-like habitats return. Horses, sheep and various cattle races are being experimented with, each with its own grazing behavior, its specific ecological niche.
But none of the cattle live up to expectation. Some aren't self supporting, others don’t have the required browsing behavior or are too aggressive towards tourists their territory. So, again, Dutch ecologists are pushing the frontiers further, using DNA-profiling in an effort to re-breed a near-replica of European original wild cattle. These prehistoric cattle’s DNA is known. Now, half wild modern races are scanned for genetic resemblance to their ancestor. Next, the closest look-alikes will be cross bred until a good ‘TaurOchs’ retro race is born.
Plenty of eager Universities are involved. Part of the money comes from selling “wilderness steaks” from present nature grazing cattle. Impressive, isn’t it? Or is it? For if we must resort to clever eugenetics in order to let ‘nature be its own keeper’, we’re deluding ourselves. The new grazers – if we manage to forge them – will just be the next product of factory farming!
Soon they will be traded all over Europe, and beyond. Thousands, then more “superfluous” animals will end their lawn razing slave lives prematurely for the pot. Profit will supplant wilderness ecology as the foremost goal. And one day, the rewilding ecologists will look up and wonder: where exactly did we let the Devil buy our soul?
Photography: © Michel Robles
Martial Art
Once they were bullets, pistols or grenades. Now under the deft hands of Mozambique’s possibly most famous sculptor Goncalo Mabunda they have been transformed into Art.
Recycling AK-47's and other arms from the one-time civil war has become the trade mark of Mabunda and a couple of his fellow artists. I saw some of the results in a small B&B in Antwerp. But even the British Museum and the Bill Clinton Foundation acquired pieces from the 'Arms into Art' programme. Read more…
Photo: © Michel Robles
High on FSC
Ten years ago the Netherlands were an admired environmental pioneer nation. Nowadays, due to a shortsighted neoliberal policy we are almost tail-end Charley within the European Union. Belgium, on the other hand, is a real runner-up. Last December (2010) the Flemish Leukenheide distillery presented Dennenknopje (Pine Bud). Dennenknopje is the world’s very first jenever (traditionally a truly Dutch strong drink), made from a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) labeled wood product. The gin-like softbooze is distilled from pine cones from the Pinus silvestris. The pines grow in Flanders’ vastest, FSC certified forest region Bosland. A local high from an okay forest. Innovation can be anywhere.…
Questioning Plastiki pride
The newly designed cradle-to-cradle catamaran Plastiki has recently arrived is Sidney after a publicity voyage from California across the Pacific Ocean. The designers claim extreme recyclability. But, contrary to earlier announcements, the ship will not be up-cycled now that it has reached its destination. The builders say they've become too attached to their newborn baby. Of course, the vessel can be a showcase for years to come. But, hey, isn't this kind of attachment of people to their achievements precisely the reason why our earth is becoming such a cluttered place? www.theplastiki.com
Sweet C2C
Cradle-to-cradle handmade beauty: go haunt the town's antique and recycle shops and flea markets for a bunch of elegant (or maybe you prefer funny or modern design) plates, saucers and wine glasses. Wash them well, sand the glasses' brims lightly and glue things together with strong porcelain glue. Any shape, size and design you fancy, will do.
Lo and behold: you have now created your own home grown bonbonnière! For sweets, cookies, fruit - or sandwiches if you like. Ladies love'em! Dozens were sold in a fashion shop in my home town. Enjoy more...
Photos: © Michel Robles
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