What do plants tell us? – introduction to Permaculture

In a weekend dominated by the roar of the Formula 1 race, we invite you to discover something entirely different: a hidden dune landscape where you hear the silent voice of nature. Join permaculture designer Sylvia Avontuur for an inspiring morning that will transform how you see the natural world around you.

Here you’ll find the Marsh orchid and the white Parnassia flower with its unique hermaphroditic flower. On sunny days you’ll see rare butterflies and smell the scent of wild mint. Sylvia will guide you along hidden paths to her favorite spots, showing you how to read landscapes through their plant communities and revealing the intricate relationships and collaborations that make ecosystems thrive.

This isn’t just about identifying plants—it’s about understanding how natural systems work and stay resilient. The same processes that shape these wild landscapes can inspire how we approach our gardens, our work, and even our relationships.

The dunes are shaped by wind, water, and time, with pioneer plants gradually creating conditions for shrubs, woody vegetation, and eventually forests. These natural patterns offer practical lessons for anyone interested in working with nature rather than against it.

As we walk, you’ll learn to recognize how sandy soils support drought-tolerant native species, how windy coastal conditions favor certain plants, and how wet spots become havens for moisture-loving dune valley flora. This knowledge transforms how we approach our own spaces—instead of fighting local conditions, we learn to read and work with them.

Who is this for? Anyone curious about how nature works and stays resilient. Whether you’re interested in ecological gardening, sustainable living, or just want to spend a morning outdoors, this introduction offers new ways of seeing how everything in an ecosystem connects— and how fragile that balance can be when disrupted.