Colleagues create a unique company garden
Van Houtum Papier and the Swalm river have been neighbours for almost 75 years, and the river plays an essential role in the production of hygienic paper. Because we would like to do something in return we are creating a green corridor between the Swalm and the factory, in which birds, butterflies and other insects will feel right at home.
On Sunday, 22 November, 50 employees and their families came to the head office at Boutestraat to put their green fingers to work. Led by 'Stichting 'Instandhouding Kleine Landschapselementen in Limburg (IKL)' (the Foundation for the Preservation of Small Landscape Elements in Limburg), the volunteers planted dozens of shrubs and hedges. IKL had already prepared the soil for planting in the summer and erected a 140-metre long wall of acacia wood posts along our premises. This wall will soon be covered with native climbing plants like honeysuckle, old man's beard and field rose. The existing, naturally steep banks of the Swalm were extended visually by planting hornbeam and mixed thicket hedgerows with a high ecological value.
This way the greenery surrounding our premises is being given a sustainable facelift that is in keeping with the region. According to IKL, by doing so we are contributing to the sustainable reinforcement of the characteristic qualities of the area along the Swalm. “Van Houtum Papier is investing in an attractive, pleasant and healthy environment. Not just for people to live and work in, but also for plants and animals,” says the foundation on its website.
It was a really fun and educational day for our employees and their families. IKL shared various useful gardening secrets and provided a beautiful walk along the Swalm. The participants received expert information on water, plants and life around our unique neighbour. And colleagues got to know a different, green side of each other while digging and planting.