Working Together for a Biodiverse and Climate-Resilient Voorschoten

Paving removal is the process of replacing tiles or other paved surfaces with greenery. It is a simple yet effective form of climate adaptation that contributes to biodiversity. Paved surfaces trap heat, which makes hot periods even hotter. Additionally, water cannot drain properly from paved surfaces. Greenery, on the other hand, provides cooling through evaporation and shade. It also allows rainwater to easily seep into the ground. By choosing the right plants, you can contribute to biodiversity in Voorschoten. On this Steenbreek page, you’ll find more information on how to implement de-paving in your garden.

On this website, you can take the biodiversity quiz. It will help you choose plants for your garden or balcony. For tips on creating a biodiverse garden, you can download the PDF file at the bottom of this webpage.

If you have the space, you can choose to plant a tree in your yard. Trees provide shade and cool the yard, improve air quality, offer privacy, and increase property value. If you choose the right tree, various

animals, such as birds, benefit from this. This Steenbreek page explains what to keep in mind when planting a tree.

Rain that falls on your roof usually ends up in the sewer system. During heavy rainfall, this can overload the sewer system, leading to flooding. The current sewer system in Voorschoten is largely a combined system, meaning that wastewater and rainwater are discharged through the same system to the treatment plant. However, the relatively clean rainwater does not need to be treated. Rainwater can be put to better use, for example, for flushing toilets and showers or for watering the garden. By disconnecting your downspout from the sewer system and directing the water into a rain barrel or other form of water storage or collection, you can use the water in a way that doesn’t cause any problems. This way, you won’t have to use precious drinking water to water your garden, among other things. This website provides a detailed step-by-step guide on the best way to disconnect your downspout.

WADI stands for Water Drainage and Infiltration. A WADI is a vegetated ditch—which may contain gravel—that remains dry during hot, dry weather and fills with water during rainstorms. Installing a WADI helps prevent your yard from flooding during heavy rainfall. You can connect your downspout to your WADI.

Do you have a flat roof? If so, you can choose to turn it into a green or blue roof. The roof can be used to collect rainwater and promote biodiversity. In addition, a green/blue roof provides extra insulation, keeping your home cooler in the summer and retaining heat 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. Make sure the rain barrel has sufficient capacity. If you want to prevent the rain barrel from overflowing, one option is to choose 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 slowly seep into the soil.

It is possible to use collected rainwater for purposes such as flushing the toilet. This way, you don’t use drinking water to flush the toilet, and you save on water bills. Rainwater also makes it easier to clean the toilet because it leaves fewer deposits and slows down wear and tear on your pipes. It’s best to have a professional install a rainwater system.

Don’t have a garden but still want to help create a biodiverse and climate-resilient Voorschoten? Or can’t get enough of gardening? Then you can choose to get involved in public spaces. You can landscape a tree pit, create a facade garden, or adopt a planting bed. You can find more information on how to get started on the “Get Involved with Green Spaces” page.