March 2025, Brussels – The Belgian chapter of the Wildlife Estates (WE) Label celebrated the expansion of the Networks by awarding nine additional Estates in the country with the Label. 

The event took place at the Cercle Royal Gaulois in Brussels, bringing together over 100 members and partners to celebrate the commitment of landowners to sustainable land management practices and biodiversity conservation across Belgium.

The event opened with a warm welcome from Thierry de l’Escaille, Executive President of the ELO, who emphasized the growing importance of the WE Label in fostering sustainable land stewardship. 
Frank Vassen, Policy Officer from the Environment Directorate, European Commission, also addressed the audience, highlighting the role of the WE Label in supporting EU environmental objectives.

This year, four estates in Flanders - introduced by Alec Van Havre, coordinator of Wildlife Estates Flanders - and five estates in Wallonia - presented by Patrick Miel, responsible for the program in Wallonia - were newly awarded the prestigious Wildlife Estates Label. With these additions, the label now covers more than 22,000 hectares, representing 1.31% of Wallonia’s total land area.

Awarded Labels in Flanders:

• Landgoed De Hork
• Kasteeldomein Van Widooie
• Domein Eikelenberg
• Domein Oude Gracht

Awarded Labels in Wallonia:

• Vallée de la Julienne (Argenteau)
• Château de Bousval (Bousval)
• Domaine de Sparmont (Comblain Fairon)
• Domaine de Chercq (Chercq)
• Domaine des Hauts-Marais – Bel Abri (Chimay)

In addition to the new certifications, four estates reached the end of their Wildlife Estates certification cycle in 2024. Following a thorough reassessment, these estates were successfully granted renewal for another five years, extending their certification until 2029:

• Domaine St Roch
• Mont d'Anhée
• Domaine de Montjardin
• Chasses de la Couronne