2023-2024

Rødegaard

For two years in a row, the Positive Trace Festival has been held at Rødegaard, a stunning location on Djursland near National Park Mols Bjerge.

We have supported Rødegaard by creating a comprehensive land-use plan, connecting them with expert knowledge, partnerships, funding, and hands-on support to bring the vision to life. Following the festival, Den Danske Naturfond provided an additional 500,000 DKK to protect the area, ensuring it remains unfarmed and dedicated to nature for the future.

Learn More About Rødegaard

Planted over 3525 plants and countless seeds
Transformed 15 hectares of land
Funded 243.000 DKK
Involved 800 people
Introduced 3 Highland cows to graze the land
Hosted over 60 educational and creative workshop

OUTCOME

Forest Garden

We have established a forest garden at Rødegaard, designed around permaculture principles. Paths have been created, compost spread, and a variety of trees, shrubs, and ground cover planted. The forest garden is open to the public, and it has quickly become a favorite spot for the citizens of Vistoft, who often enjoy a leisurely walk through this vibrant space. We look forward to watching it flourish over time. Once a month, Rødegaard hosts community workdays in the garden, inviting everyone to join in nurturing this shared green space.

OUTCOME

Planted 41 trees, 87 bushes and 2881 groundcover plants

Provided a sustainable forest garden for Rødegaard that provides seasonal yields
The garden becomes a hub for learning and connecting, fostering community involvement
Improved natural soil restauration that is self-sustainable

Join the Workdays

Transforming Farmland into a Thriving Biodiversity Hub

We embarked on a journey with the goal of restoring 10 hectares of former agricultural land and forest, drawing inspiration from nature’s own processes. Guided by natural disturbance principles, we looked to the work of animals like moles, ants, and grazing mammals to shape a thriving ecosystem. Through various initiatives, we aim to create a safe haven where biodiversity can flourish and spread across the surrounding landscape. This project also supports Nationalpark Mols Bjerge by helping to establish corridors that link biodiversity hotspots in Denmark’s cultivated regions, fostering a more connected and vibrant ecosystem.

Hydrology

In this hydrology biodiversity project, we dug swales and contour dams, and planted fruit trees on the swales. The purpose of the project was to expand the ecological space from the forest into the field by simulating forest clearings, providing food sources for pollinators, and climate-proofing the field against extreme weather events.

Seed Collection

We've revived an ancient ecological process: long-distance seed dispersal by large herbivores. By carefully removing the nutrient-rich topsoil from a field, we've exposed the less fertile subsoil, creating ideal conditions for wild herbs. Sowing seeds collected from the biodiversity hotspot of Trehøje in Nationalpark Mols Bjerge we have established a seed bank, ready to disperse across the landscape.

Habitat Creation

To foster biodiversity, we created a range of habitats for insects and small mammals, inspired by natural processes. A central feature is a dead hedge, designed to welcome species like hedgehogs, wrens, and solitary bees. Additionally, we built small mounds, rock piles, and branch stacks to establish microclimates, providing ideal conditions for various insects to thrive. Through these efforts, we aim to create a balanced ecosystem where each species can find its place.

Enhancing Forest Biodiversity

To boost biodiversity at Rødegaard forest, we accelerate tree aging by mimicking natural decay. Controlled methods like creating cavities, removing bark, and shaping deadwood transform young trees into veteran habitats, supporting a variety of wildlife, including insects, birds, and mammals.

Additionally, we've planted native tree species in surrounding grasslands, merging forest and open land to enrich the ecosystem further.

OUTCOME

Planted 87 trees, dug 3 swales and moved 30 ton of soil

Biodynamic Garden

In 2024 we established a fall vegetable garden, gaining essential skills in growing and biodynamic compost-making techniques. The garden will supply fresh vegetables for Rødegaard, nourishing participants during courses and retreats.

OUTCOME:

Planted 480 plants and sowed vegetables on 15 x15 m2
Improved the soil with green manure

Provided a sustainable garden for Rødegaard that provides seasonal yields

Natural Irrigation

We established a natural irrigation system for the community garden in Vistoft. We made a system to collect rainwater from rooftops around the lot to be able to access water easily for watering the plants. First, we store water and then we help the soil to be moist all year through swales. The project is quite simple, but the outcome can make gardening much easier going forward.