Floating islands in the 't Rauw pit
The Rauw pit has four large artificial floating islands. Sand mining company Sibelco and the local authority worked together on a new environmental development project for the large lake.
Two islands were planted with sedge. The same sedge is found in the surrounding natural areas and is a habitat for rare animal and plant life. The third island is a peat substrate island formed of aquatic plants and mud and is thus the ideal habitat for the black tern. The fourth island was built with boulders to form an attractive nesting site for the common tern, which otherwise has few suitable nesting sites inland. The islands are made from sustainable materials and anchored with a cable attached to the bank.