Natural Grazing Management in Practice (English)
Learn from 35+ Years of Experience
Natural grazing is a versatile and increasingly adopted form of nature management across Europe—spanning traditional conservation, restoration, and rewilding. Large herbivores such as wild horses, European bison, and feral water buffalo play a vital role in enhancing biodiversity and delivering ecosystem services: from reducing wildfire risks and controlling invasive species to contributing to water safety and creating insect-rich habitats.
These grazers shape dynamic landscapes, full of natural variety and locally reset successional phases, supporting Natura 2000 goals and enriching the experience for nature enthusiasts.
Benefit from over 35 years of expertise in natural grazing. To share this knowledge, this practical English-language course is tailored for international fieldworkers and nature managers working with large grazers.
The course explores all aspects of natural grazing, addressing questions like:
- What is the ecological role of grazers?
- What outcomes can and can’t be expected?
- Which animal species—or combinations—work best in different areas?
- What regulations apply?
- What defines a natural, social herd?
- How to address concerns like thistles, ragwort, or interactions with dogs?
Participants will gain practical insight into managing large herbivores and the ecological impact of grazing. The program includes theory sessions in Beuningen and guided field excursions to locations such as Maashorst, Noordwaard, and Millingerwaard. There’s also space to discuss participants’ own cases and questions.
Join this course to deepen your understanding and apply natural grazing in your own work.
Participants will learn:
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The ecological role of large herbivores in natural ecosystems
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How natural grazing enhances biodiversity and delivers ecosystem services
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The expected outcomes and limitations of grazing as a management tool
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How to select appropriate species or combinations for different landscapes
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Relevant laws and regulations related to grazing and herd management
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Characteristics of natural, social herds and their behaviour
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Strategies to address common concerns (e.g. thistles, ragwort, human-wildlife interaction)
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Practical skills for working safely and effectively with free-ranging grazers
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Insights into integrating grazing into nature restoration and Natura 2000 objectives
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Experience through field excursions in Dutch rewilding areas (e.g. Maashorst, Noordwaard, Millingerwaard)Â
COURSE FEE
€2150,00 (excluding VAT)
The fee includes course materials, a four-night single room hotel stay near Beuningen, breakfast, lunch and diner and travel during the course to our various training locations.
Travel to and from the Netherlands and travel to and from the hotel on check-in day and check-out day is excluded from the course fee.Â
PRELIMINARY DATES
15, 16, 17 & 18 September 2025 (preliminary)
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Day 1: Hotel check-in (from 15:00), followed by welcome diner at the hotel.
Day 2: Theory on natural grazing and its effects on the landscape at our office in Beuningen. Followed by a field excursion to the floodplains of Millingerwaard. Breakfast and diner at the hotel, lunch provided on location.
Day 3: Theory on large grazers such as horse, cattle, European bison and waterbuffalo at our office in Beuningen. Followed by a field excursion to the waterbuffalos at the Noordwaard nature reserve. Breakfast and diner at the hotel, lunch provided on location.
Day 4: Theory on veterinary management, ethics and law at our office in Beuningen. Followed by a field excursion to the European bison at Maashorst nature reserve Breakfast and diner at the hotel, lunch provided on location.
Day 5: Breakfast and hotel check-out (before 10:00).
Experience in this professional field or MBO.
- Ecological Restoration
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- Regenerative Agriculture
- Blended
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- Field-based
Course Providers
