New Partnership to Support Migratory Birds and Toads

The Femern Belt Project is launching a collaboration with the Hempel Foundation to enhance habitats in the foundation’s nearly 800-hectare Saksfjed Wilderness in southern Lolland.

Sund & Bælt, the developer of the Femern Belt Tunnel, has partnered with the Hempel Foundation to support habitats for migratory birds and toads in various areas within Saksfjed Wilderness.

The collaboration includes:

• Establishing wetlands
• Creating canal crossings for grazing animals
• Expanding efforts to make more space for wild nature in Saksfjed Wilderness

Additionally, the partners will explore opportunities to acquire smaller land areas around Saksfjed Wilderness to further expand the rewilding area and enhance biodiversity.

A Large-Scale Nature Restoration Initiative

Two years ago, the Hempel Foundation acquired Saksfjed Wilderness, a nearly 800-hectare area located behind the dikes of southern Lolland. This vast landscape, equivalent to more than 1,000 residential plots, consists of both former farmland and existing natural areas. Since the acquisition, the foundation has been working on numerous initiatives to create habitats for a diverse range of wildlife, including amphibians and birds.

Now, Sund & Bælt will contribute to the development of Saksfjed Wilderness by:

• Excavating former drainage canals to restore them as open waterways
• Recreating protected natural areas
• Establishing large wetlands on previously cultivated land

Sund & Bælt has extensive experience in establishing compensation nature areas, having developed over 600 hectares of new nature as part of the Femern Belt Project. Under previous ownership, more than 50 hectares of farmland were converted into open natural areas, and Lungholm Lake—an 8-hectare lake near Saksfjed Wilderness—was created, now serving as an important habitat for numerous bird species.

There is a great need to restore habitats for birds, amphibians, and insects, particularly in protected nature areas. We have experience in creating and monitoring new nature areas through the Femern Belt Project, and with a targeted effort, we can also contribute to supporting biodiversity in Saksfjed Wilderness.

One of Denmark’s Largest Rewilding Projects

Saksfjed Wilderness is one of Denmark’s largest and most ambitious rewilding projects on former agricultural land. Earlier this year, it joined the European Rewilding Network, a leading European initiative for nature restoration.

Our goal with Saksfjed Wilderness is to demonstrate, in collaboration with partners, how biodiversity in Denmark can be restored and protected. We are pleased with the partnership with the Femern Belt Project, which supports the implementation of our ambitious strategy

Implementation and Approvals

The work on wetland restoration and canal crossings in Saksfjed Wilderness will begin later this year and be gradually implemented over the next year.

These initiatives are currently pending approval from the Danish Transport Authority, which is reviewing the project.