Richer water

In this project we support actors with an interest in circular economy, nature conservation and sustainable tourism. Central to the project is the development of new methods for harvesting and producing feed from reeds and mussels. This contributes to reducing eutrophication in the sea and water and at the same time creates new business opportunities.

About the project

For more than a hundred years, the Baltic Sea region has received too much nutrition through imports, primarily of artificial fertilizers, animal feed and food. Via waterways and sewage treatment plants, a significant part of the nutrients from this import first end up in our lakes and then in the Baltic Sea, causing eutrophication. In the Richer Water project, we want to attack the Baltic Sea situation, not by curing the symptoms, as has often been done so far, but by trying to create economic gains in the extraction of nutrients from our waterways and raise awareness of the invisible values that nature creates.

Nature offers not only products and important regulatory functions, but also experiences and well-being. Collectively, these are called ecosystem services. The importance of our natural resources is becoming increasingly clear, and the threats to existing species and ecosystems are looming large. We need to find new, ingenious ways to protect and create more benefit from the natural resources we have, the faster the better.

In this project, we have carried out study visits and contributed to networking and exchange of experiences linked to blue-green industries and sustainable tourism. We have a few study visits left to carry out, as well as smaller nature conservation efforts in nature conservation areas. The efforts can, for example, involve clearing migration obstacles for Asp, digging the pike dike, wetland restoration, clearing invasive species, signage of a path, or anything else exciting that comes up.

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Fredrik på Sjöutsikt AB
Fredrik på Sjöutsikt AB skördar vass ovanför vattenytan.
Skörd av vass ovanför vattenytan, sett uppifrån.
Foder från vass i två balar framför en häst i en hage.
Skördning av vass över vattenytan.
Project

”What on earth do you do with reeds that no one wants and everyone wants to get rid of? More abundant water enabled us to go from invention to environmental innovation – a reed harvester that makes a difference for the environment and provides food for both horses and cows. The development continues and today reed harvesting is part of our source of income.”

Fredrik Holmén, Sjöutsikt AB

Harvesting reeds and mussels

Richer Water is collaborating with SLU and various entrepreneurs to develop new methods for harvesting and producing feed from reeds and mussels. The reed sub-project has already been completed, while the mussel part will be implemented in 2023–2024.

The reeds have been used as feed for cows and horses, while the mussels are becoming relevant as feed for e.g. chickens and fish farms. The aim is both to return nutrition to land-based production and to generate jobs and businesses. Perhaps we can help enable local value chains for these untapped resources in Upplandsbygd.

Are you an entrepreneur interested in receiving or producing feed from mussels, or taking part in what we learn in the project? Please get in touch!

Richer Water The Challenge: Get the chance to invest in sustainable tourism in a nature conservation area

 

WE HAVE A WINNER! ÖSTERBYBRUK FISHING ASSOCIATION

We at Upplandsbygd have recently announced an exciting challenge for investments in or adjacent to nature conservation areas, with a focus on promoting sustainable tourism. After many committed applications, we are pleased to announce that Österbybruk Fiskeri Förening has been selected as the winner.

The Winning Idea: Stordammens Preservation and Sustainable Tourism

Österbybruk Fiskeri Förening plans to maintain the water level of Stordammen by purchasing a reed and water lily cutting unit for an existing boat. This investment also enables the purchase of boats for rental, which is the first step in increasing the use of the dam and its tributaries for residents and visitors.

The association is also involved in nature and fisheries conservation by removing small trees near the shore and using them to make fish vases. These measures are carefully designed to preserve and enhance the ecological values of the ponds and strengthen the attractiveness of the area as a place to live and visit.

More about the project
About the project
Project period
2020–2024
Project owner
Upplandsbygd locally led development LAG
Project Manager
Daniel Petri Cortes
daniel.petri.cortes@upplandsbygd.se
Main partners
SLU
Lakeview AB (reed contractor)
Ecopelag
About the project
The project supports the development of new methods for harvesting and producing feed from reeds and mussels. The efforts are a close collaboration with SLU (including Anders Kiessling), Fredrik Holmén at Sjöutsikt AB (reed entrepreneur) and Ecopelag, which harvests blue mussels from the Baltic Sea. In addition, the project contributes to networking and exchange of experience between entrepreneurs and associations in our area with an interest in circular production, nature conservation, blue-green industries and nature culture tourism.
About financing
Granted leader support
SEK 1,933,317
Co-financing from Knivsta, Sigtuna, Uppsala and Östhammar municipalities
SEK 966,513
Total financing
SEK 2,899,830
Leader support consists of funding from the EU and the state.
Incoming EU funds have been granted from:
Rural Development Fund