The Blossom Ribbon project in Limburg, Netherlands aims to preserve the region's natural landscape and standard orchards, which are an important part of the local identity and culture. The project involves planting new orchards, restoring old ones, cataloging historic bakehouses used to make traditional fruit pies, placing beehives in orchards to support pollination, creating habitats for wildlife, teaching schoolchildren about orchard conservation, and developing recreational activities like blossom hikes to promote tourism. Led by the IKL Foundation, the long-term goal is to engage the local community to take responsibility for caring for the landscape and its standard orchards for future generations.

1. Good Practice Cases in Sustainable Tourism Destinations
Limburg and Euregion
ITEMS
SECTIONS
DESCRIPTION
CASE
PROFILE
Name Project
Projectperiod
Blossom Ribbon-Bloesemlint-Blütenband-Ruban Fleuri
2011-now
Contact details
Henk van Kuijk; H.vanKuijk@ikl-limburg.nl;
0031-475-386451
arley@vvvzuidlimburg.nl;
0031-43-6098531
Name (in EN)
of the
destination
Administrative
Organizations
and Country
Tourism
Organizations
Surface
Limburg and Euregion
Tourist Board South-Limburg
13.000 km² in the Euregion
Resident
population
3,4 million in the Euregion, 608.000 in the Netherlands
Tourism
Arrivals
30 million in Limburg
Tourism nights
Name of the
leading
organization
Website
WHY
The reason for
action
Issues and
challenge
HOW
5 million in Limburg
The IKL Foundation (The Foundation for the Preservation of Small-Scale Landscape
Elements in Limburg / Instandhouding kleine landschapselementen Limburg)
http://www.ikl-limburg.nl/ /www.bloesemlint.eu
The past few decades have seen many large-scale investments in nature
conservation in the Limburg region. This project, however, demands support for an
urgent problem: the management of Limburg's natural surroundings. If care and
financial resources for the ecological elements are diminished this will result not only
in a destruction of capital, but also in Limburg losing part of its identity.
By continuing to focus on the need for periodic maintenance and restoration we can
preserve the landscape for future generations. An additional difficulty is the current
lack of subsidies focusing on communication and civic participation. Active
engagement fosters a sense of individual responsibility for the landscape. Not only
will this benefit nature itself, but also the people who live, work and visit the area In
the future, these people will have to assume control of this.
Introduction
The IKL Foundation's Blossom Ribbon project views the landscape of the Limburg
region with a fresh gaze and across national borders. In doing so, the IKL Foundation
aims to stimulate processes that foster the historic unification of people and the
landscape. The landscape is a dynamic process that is subject to constant change
brought about by nature and people alike. This process can be compared to a
blossom, which develops from a bud into a flower and then becomes fruit that is
consumed by people. The IKL Foundation developed the Blossom Ribbon concept to
translate desires and objectives into practical applications and to promote
widespread awareness. Various projects and activities are being developed within
the framework of this project, with 'the standard orchard' as its focal point. A
standard orchard is a collection of at least ten fruit trees with stems measuring at
PICTURES

2. least 1.50 metres in height and planted on a substrate of grassy vegetation. A
standard orchard has a density of at least 50 and at most 150 trees per hectare. A
standard orchard is often planted in a cluster and clearly segregated from the
surrounding environment. The standard orchard comprises the essence of the
Limburg landscape and is a prime example of how mankind and nature join forces
and benefit each other: a symbiotic relationship that provides people with food,
attracts tourism, creates attractive village borders, provides shelter for animals and
promotes an agrarian culture.
Potential activities and/or projects that could fall within the scope of this project
have been grouped into five themes. These projects comprise the driving force
behind social initiatives. To promote this idea, every theme will leave room for local
initiatives that may be developed during the course of the project. Participation and
experience are key aspects of the project: the IKL Foundation invites all parties to
participate actively.
Landscape
Planting new orchards: Including five in Germany, five in Belgium and five in Dutch
Limburg, bearing in mind that the orchard is a universal concept in village life in the
Euregion and has always been part of agrarian operations and serves as a green belt
both historically and in terms of the landscape. Planting these orchards will create a
symbolic 'ribbon of blossoms'.
The restoration of old orchards: As they are no longer being used for agricultural
purposes, historic orchards are falling into deterioration. Although owners often
understand their value, they frequently do not know how to set about restoring their
orchards. Chopping down old trees and replacing them with new ones is also part of
this project. It is also essential that pruning is carried out in phases, in collaboration
with private owners and volunteers.
Project status: The IKL Foundation started on these activities in 2011 and organises
pruning courses and similar initiatives.
Culture
The orchard is a prominent part of Limburg's culture, in which the vlaai (a large pie,
often made with fruit) has become the figurehead and is held in high esteem at both
the local and national level. The vlaai was traditionally baked in authentic farmyard
'bakehouses'. These bakehouses have since become dilapidated, their function has
become obsolete and their locations are not always known. In many cases the
orchards, which were historically located in the vicinity of the bakehouses, have also
disappeared. As these bakehouses are part of the Limburg landscape it was
proposed to catalogue all bakehouses in Limburg. The ensuing list, which will be
compiled with the help of the local population, will show which bakehouses can be
restored in order to guarantee their preservation. Agreements have been made as to
who will be responsible for renovating the bakehouses. The rural area surrounding
the bakehouses will be tidied up by the IKL Foundation. Once the restoration is
complete, three traditional vlaai baking days will be organised to demonstrate how
bakehouses like these worked and to invite visitors to taste the fruit from the
orchards.
Project status: The initiatives and activities described above have all been started.
Food
Fruit from standard orchards has been used for pies, beverages (cider, apple juice)
and bread toppings (treacle, jam) for centuries. Standard fruit trees are pollinated by
bees, which in turn produce honey and wax. Bees are therefore essential to rural
areas. This has prompted the idea of placing 75 beehives in orchards, a project that
will require close collaboration between bee-keepers and orchard owners. Another
idea is to develop an online marketplace with a view to eliminating the waste of
fruit. Orchard owners could use it to give away, sell or trade excess fruit, sell related
products such as jam, or offer tools and equipment for loan such as ladders, fruitpickers, pruning shears, etc. This would likewise allow people without an orchard to
enjoy products and come into contact with like-minded individuals. PR initiatives
such as juicing days could also be developed within the context of the 'food' theme.
Another activity would be to organise culinary buffet hikes in the fields where the
products are grown.
Project status: All of these activities have been started, except for the online

3. marketplace.
Nature
Orchards are indispensable to the survival of various species of flora and fauna and
serve as both a shelter and a source of food. It should also be possible to create
nesting boxes for these species. The idea is also to create nesting boxes for garden
dormice and bats at suitable locations and to plant additional orchards and hedges in
the vicinity of badger burrows. Birds also nest in the crevices of old trees in an
orchard. If there are fewer orchards this will also have an impact on bird populations
(e.g. woodpeckers and owls). When new trees are planted, nesting boxes for birds
(including little owls and kestrels) should also be placed at suitable locations. Lastly,
consideration must also be given to amphibians, such as newts and toads. The idea is
to create amphibian pools for these animals in the direct vicinity of orchards.
Project status: This project is currently underway; many nesting boxes have already
been put up and pools created.
People
Promoting engagement in the standard orchard culture and teaching people to
preserve this is one of the basic principles for the success of this project. Spreading
knowledge about conservation, planting, species and varieties to people of all ages
will provide a new impulse to the preservation of the orchard in Limburg. The idea is
to involve schoolchildren at an early age in the standard orchard culture by
enhancing their awareness of the origin of food and by planting fruit trees at 50
primary schools. This will include lessons in conservation and pruning at every
school. Adults could participate in annual pruning, training and scything courses that
will enable them to care for their orchards independently in the future. The idea was
proposed to compile a list of heritage fruit varieties and publish information about
these varieties and their whereabouts on a website to ensure that they are not lost.
Lastly, standard fruit brigades could be appointed and supervised to encourage more
people to prune more trees.
Project status: Many trees have been planted and pruned through adoption projects
at various schools (>100). The Association for Pomology has already compiled a list
of various fruit varieties.
Recreation and tourism
A number of tourism and recreational projects can also serve to map out the
blossoms in the landscape. These projects will allow locals and tourists from further
away to experience their delights. Local guides could organise blossom hikes to local
pubs and restaurants and geocaching could be used to appeal to a new target
audience by hiding ‘fruit caches’ near fruit trees. This would help foster public
engagement with the theme of fruit and landscapes. Another opportunity would be
provided through blossom parades: local hiking associations and business owners
could set out hiking trails with that feature sensory elements in areas that blossom
during spring. Limburg boasts the earliest spring blossoms in the country.
Project status: The IKL Foundation has organised blossom hikes in collaboration with
IVN, various hikers’ associations and the organisations responsible for managing the
relevant areas. An event organised in conjunction with the Vilt Hikers' Association
attracted over 2000 participants in 2012. Caches are still being researched and/or
developed.
RESULTS
Benefits
Recognition
and Awards
A process has been started that is spreading across our province and the border
regions to create a ribbon, as it were, in which people invite others to experience the
natural surroundings anew and to nurture and cherish this abundance.
This concept has been embraced by various Euregional associations for landscape
and civic engagement, regional products and municipalities. This is evident from the
many orchards that were and are being planted:
06 December 2011:
Planting an orchard for friends in Cottessen/Vaals
21 March 2012:
Planting 53 fruit trees in Maastricht by schoolchildren under the guidance of

4. students from the United World College
24 November 2012:
Planting an orchard for friends in Meerlo
2012:
Planting an orchard in Terworm Parkstad Heerlen
14 December 2012:
Signing a Declaration of Intent by the international partners of the 'Blossom Ribbon'
initiative
03 April 2012:
Planting trees of a Limburg heritage apple variety in the Gardens of Vaeshartelt
Castle in Maastricht
18 January 2013:
Opening the Euregional orchard for friends Plateau van Caestert in Flanders
03 March 2013:
Planting a Euregional standard orchard near Orsbach
Winter 2013/14:
Planting a public orchard in Nivelle/Belgium
The documents and images discussed here can be downloaded at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0zo6gsy5tbqttmy/5KE7D-NZq5
Ideas proposed by various parties and residents that correspond to the objectives of
this project have been taken into consideration.
REFLECTION
Multiplier
effect and
transferability
The 'Blossom Ribbon' project will provide new opportunities to reach new target
audiences and unite existing ones. The 'blossom ribbon' is accessible to everyone
and will generate support and new energy in our valuable cultural landscape. It can
also provide a new impulse for the tourism and recreation industry. Spurred by
enthusiasm, knowledge and their own motives, we invite people of all ages to
actively participate in sensory concepts that draw attention to the landscape in a
new way; concepts in which the landscape serves as the connecting factor and the
'blossom ribbon' as the invitation.
The project can inspire other destinations.
Lessons
Raising awareness among the population for the landscape and standard fruit trees
learned and
in the Euregion in particular, is very important in this project. So it is important to
critical success
start with a clear objective.
factors
ogical bridges between the residents and other