Vred Peat Bog: a Regional Nature Reserve

Vred, a commune within the Regional National Park, contains an exceptional peat bog. It is one of the last three alkaline peat bogs in Nord-Pas de Calais to still be active, i.e. where the vegetation continues to evolve. This area of just over 41 hectares is owned by the commune and is classed as a "Regional Nature Reserve". By agreement, the commune of Vred delegates management of the peat bog to the Park’s joint association, whose technicians perform maintenance and restoration work, as well as monitoring its fauna and flora.

In Vred, peat was exploited from the 13th century to the end of the 18th century for heating purposes. Then, with the advent of coal, this activity was supplanted by hay growing or market gardening, facilitated by the establishment of an important drainage network. This network still survives today (numerous ditches, filled in to a greater or lesser degree, are found all over the reserve). Two ponds are present on the reserve: a hunting pond and another stretch of water further to the south. Waterfowl hunting is practised here, as well as occasional fishing.

The variety of environments (woods, ponds, reed beds, mosslands) and the numerous vegetation units (33 in total) are home to an astonishing diversity of life (flora, invertebrates, vertebrates and fungi).

To date, a rich heritage remains: 267 plant species (17 protected), more than 170 species of mushrooms (including 15 unique to the region), 98 species of arachnids and harvest spiders, 16 species of odonates, 6 species of amphibians (including Rana Arvalis), 98 species of birds (with around 60 nesting birds), etc.

Discover them in our image gallery!