Together for a biodiverse and climate-resilient Voorschoten

Unpaving involves replacing tiles or other paving with greenery. It is a simple yet effective form of climate adaptation that contributes to biodiversity. Paving retains heat, which makes hot periods even hotter. Furthermore, paving prevents water from draining properly. Greenery, on the other hand, provides cooling through evaporation and shade. It also ensures that rainwater can easily drain into the soil. By choosing the right plants, you can contribute to biodiversity in Voorschoten. On this Steenbreek page, you will find more information on how you can approach unpaving in your garden.

On this website, you can take the biodiversity guide test. This helps you choose plants for your garden or balcony. For tips on biodiverse planting, you can download the PDF file at the bottom of this webpage.

When space permits, you can choose to plant a tree in your garden. Trees provide shade and cooling in the garden, improve air quality, offer privacy, and increase property value. When you choose the right tree, various

animals, such as birds, can benefit from this. This Steenbreek page describes what you should pay attention to when planting a tree.

Rainwater that falls on your roof typically ends up in the sewer system. During heavy rainfall, this can overload the sewer system, causing flooding. The current sewer system in Voorschoten is largely a combined system, meaning wastewater is discharged together with rainwater through the same system to the treatment plant, even though relatively clean rainwater does not need to be treated. Rainwater can be better utilised for purposes such as the toilet and shower, or for watering and dampening the garden. By disconnecting the rainwater downpipe from the sewer and letting it discharge into a rain barrel or other form of water storage or collection, you can utilise the water in a way that does not cause nuisance. This means, among other things, you do not have to use expensive drinking water to water your garden. This website features a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how best to disconnect your rainwater downpipe.

WADI stands for Water Drainage and Infiltration (Water Afvoer Drainage en Infiltratie). A WADI is a vegetated ditch, possibly filled with gravel, that is dry during warm and dry weather and fills with water during rain showers. Installing a WADI ensures that your garden is less prone to flooding during heavy rainfall. It is possible to disconnect your rainwater downpipe towards your WADI.

Do you have a flat roof? Then you can choose to make this roof green or blue. The roof can be used to store rainwater and enhance biodiversity. In addition, a green/blue roof provides extra insulation, keeping your home cooler in the summer and retaining warmth in the winter. For more information about green-blue roofs, click here.

Your downspout can be connected to a rain barrel. You can then use the water in this rain barrel to water your plants during drier periods. Health Make sure the rain barrel has sufficient capacity. If you want to prevent the rain barrel from overflowing, you can opt for a rain barrel combined with an infiltration box. When the rain barrel is full, the water will flow underground into an infiltration box. From there, it can then slowly seep into the soil.

It is possible to use collected rainwater for purposes such as flushing the toilet. This way, you do not flush drinking water down the toilet and you save on water costs. Rainwater also makes cleaning the toilet easier because it leaves less residue and slows down wear and tear on your pipes. It is best to have a rainwater system installed by a professional.

Do you not have a garden but still want to contribute to a biodiverse and climate-resilient Voorschoten? Or can you not get enough of gardening? Then you can choose to get to work in public spaces. You can design a tree pit, create a facade garden, or adopt a planting area. More information on how you can approach this can be found on the page participating in greenery.