Enroll now in our September 2026 Four-Day Grazing Course
Natural grazing is a widely applicable form of nature management that is increasingly used within Europe: from 'traditional' nature management, through nature restoration and rewilding. Various species of large herbivores, in interaction with each other, enhancing biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. Just consider feral waterbuffalo contributingto (flood)water safety, wild horses preventing wild fires, feral bulls creating insect-rich bull pits or the reduction of invasive species such as giant hogweed by large grazers like highland cattle or even European bison!
Grazers create a rich landscape full of structural gradients and locally reset successional phases. This ensures an increase in biodiversity and helps to archieve Natura 2000 objectives. In addition, natural grazing is simply a wonderful form of nature management, making a positive contribution to the nature experience of recreationists.
However, natural grazing cannot be practiced without the involvement of people. FREE Nature is a specialist in this field. At FREE Nature we have over 35 years of experience within the field of natural grazing. To share our knowledge and experience, our organisation has set up an English course that’s essential for anyone working with large herbivores and grazing projects, especially tailored to international nature managers and fieldworkers.
During the course, we’ll explore all aspects of natural grazing. We will address questions such as: what is the role of grazers within a ecosystem? What results can and cannot be expected from grazing? Which (combination of) animal species give the best effect in different types of natural areas? What laws and regulations apply? What does a natural, social herd look like? And: how do you deal with potentional concerns, such as thistles, ragwort of confrontation with dogs?
Participants will gain insight into the role of large grazers in ecosystems, the possibilities and impossibilities of grazing and how to deal with large grazers in practice. There is ample time to contribute your own questions and practical cases.
The course will be held at various locations within the Netherlands, including Maashorst, Noordwaard and Millingerwaard. Each course day consists of a theory part at our head office in Beuningen and a field excursion. Participants will be taught and guided by our experienced project managers.
Enrolment is now open: more information can be found here!