The Danish Nature Agency’s acquisition of 535 hectares of land near Store Vildmose marks a significant advancement in the effort to restore one of Northern Europe’s largest raised bogs. The purchase, valued at 172 million kroner, represents a major milestone in Denmark’s project to remove low-lying land from agricultural use.

The newly acquired area, located in Vendsyssel, will undergo a transformation from potato fields to a natural habitat. Plans involve ceasing agricultural production and halting drainage to allow the land to revert to its natural state.

The Danish Nature Agency now possesses half of the 3,000-hectare area of interest, adding to their existing 1,000 hectares of the former raised bog. This substantial land holding provides a significant opportunity to create a large-scale natural area and achieve a considerable climate impact.

Minister for Green Tripartism Jeppe Bruus (S) expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, highlighting its importance in the ongoing green transition. He emphasized that purchases of this scale demonstrate the significant progress being made in the green tripartite work, contributing a crucial piece to the larger puzzle of environmental restoration.

According to forester Annette Pihl Strøm Jacobsen of the Danish Nature Agency Himmerland, the project aims to create a destination for nature enthusiasts, offering vast landscapes and abundant birdlife. Negotiations for acquiring additional land in the area are ongoing. The acquisition was based on voluntary agreements and market terms.