Henk Rugenbrink
@henkrugenbrink.bsky.social
Biologist, father, husband. Active runner. Ecological restoration manager of deteriorated terrains near Ibi (Spain), Ambiévillers (France) and Dampierre-les-Conflans (France)
HQ in Utrecht (NL).
#permaculture #rewilding #ecology #sustainability
HQ in Utrecht (NL).
#permaculture #rewilding #ecology #sustainability
It’s not dry anymore in Ibi
August 11, 2026 at 4:38 AM
It’s not dry anymore in Ibi
Maybe, maybe not…
Last May, I found Centaurium erythraea on a limestone ridge at 980 m near Ibi, Spain. A year later, the same species appeare on a path in our French nature reserve (275 m)
Did a few seeds travel home on my hiking boots—or is it simply coincidence?
Last May, I found Centaurium erythraea on a limestone ridge at 980 m near Ibi, Spain. A year later, the same species appeare on a path in our French nature reserve (275 m)
Did a few seeds travel home on my hiking boots—or is it simply coincidence?
July 22, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Maybe, maybe not…
Last May, I found Centaurium erythraea on a limestone ridge at 980 m near Ibi, Spain. A year later, the same species appeare on a path in our French nature reserve (275 m)
Did a few seeds travel home on my hiking boots—or is it simply coincidence?
Last May, I found Centaurium erythraea on a limestone ridge at 980 m near Ibi, Spain. A year later, the same species appeare on a path in our French nature reserve (275 m)
Did a few seeds travel home on my hiking boots—or is it simply coincidence?
The new ponds seem to hold. The toads have already found them.
May 23, 2026 at 6:24 AM
The new ponds seem to hold. The toads have already found them.
I didn’t spot it myself, but our neighbour Jacob did. He captured this beautiful image of a non-venomous ladder snake. Always special to come across wildlife like this here.
#LadderSnake #NonVenomous #Wildlife #MediterraneanNature #Biodiversity #permaculture
#LadderSnake #NonVenomous #Wildlife #MediterraneanNature #Biodiversity #permaculture
April 6, 2026 at 10:37 AM
I didn’t spot it myself, but our neighbour Jacob did. He captured this beautiful image of a non-venomous ladder snake. Always special to come across wildlife like this here.
#LadderSnake #NonVenomous #Wildlife #MediterraneanNature #Biodiversity #permaculture
#LadderSnake #NonVenomous #Wildlife #MediterraneanNature #Biodiversity #permaculture
Not all of the land has been cleaned up yet. Along one of the inner tracks there is still some illegally dumped construction waste. For now, this bee orchid seems not to mind.
#Ibi #BeeOrchid #rewilding
#Ibi #BeeOrchid #rewilding
March 15, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Not all of the land has been cleaned up yet. Along one of the inner tracks there is still some illegally dumped construction waste. For now, this bee orchid seems not to mind.
#Ibi #BeeOrchid #rewilding
#Ibi #BeeOrchid #rewilding
Beautiful arruí (Barbary sheep) on the mountain again this year – now three separate small groups moving through the land.
#permaculture #theoutpost
#permaculture #theoutpost
February 25, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Beautiful arruí (Barbary sheep) on the mountain again this year – now three separate small groups moving through the land.
#permaculture #theoutpost
#permaculture #theoutpost
Has anyone experimented with very small-scale forest restoration — just helping nature restart instead of planting trees?
We’re trying something simple in the mountains near Ibi (Spain).
Ideas, criticism and improvements very welcome 👇
We’re trying something simple in the mountains near Ibi (Spain).
Ideas, criticism and improvements very welcome 👇
February 20, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Has anyone experimented with very small-scale forest restoration — just helping nature restart instead of planting trees?
We’re trying something simple in the mountains near Ibi (Spain).
Ideas, criticism and improvements very welcome 👇
We’re trying something simple in the mountains near Ibi (Spain).
Ideas, criticism and improvements very welcome 👇
Four bunds a day keeps the doctor away.
February 18, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Four bunds a day keeps the doctor away.
Today there were lots of bees drinking from the new water reservoir. Hopefully they’ll go on to pollinate a whole lot of almond blossoms. 🌸🐝
#theoutpost #permaculture
#theoutpost #permaculture
February 15, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Today there were lots of bees drinking from the new water reservoir. Hopefully they’ll go on to pollinate a whole lot of almond blossoms. 🌸🐝
#theoutpost #permaculture
#theoutpost #permaculture
Not quite what we had in mind: an off-leash dog in our nature reserve – but I have to admit, it does look very cute splashing around in the water.
#theoutpost #permaculture
#theoutpost #permaculture
February 13, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Not quite what we had in mind: an off-leash dog in our nature reserve – but I have to admit, it does look very cute splashing around in the water.
#theoutpost #permaculture
#theoutpost #permaculture
In Spain we’ve had heavy rain. The water in the new reservoir has now been there for about six weeks and is clear. Wildlife is already enjoying it.
The basin still needs a lot of reshaping though – the banks are far too steep – before I can add a bit of sodium bentonite.
#permaculture # theoutpost
The basin still needs a lot of reshaping though – the banks are far too steep – before I can add a bit of sodium bentonite.
#permaculture # theoutpost
February 11, 2026 at 5:53 AM
In Spain we’ve had heavy rain. The water in the new reservoir has now been there for about six weeks and is clear. Wildlife is already enjoying it.
The basin still needs a lot of reshaping though – the banks are far too steep – before I can add a bit of sodium bentonite.
#permaculture # theoutpost
The basin still needs a lot of reshaping though – the banks are far too steep – before I can add a bit of sodium bentonite.
#permaculture # theoutpost
Next week I’m meeting an olive harvester who will take over full care of the most productive terraces – managed organically.
60% of the harvest will be his, and the rest I’ll receive as olive oil. It feels like a fair deal: he earns a good living, and I can focus more on restoring the whole system.
60% of the harvest will be his, and the rest I’ll receive as olive oil. It feels like a fair deal: he earns a good living, and I can focus more on restoring the whole system.
February 10, 2026 at 8:09 AM
Next week I’m meeting an olive harvester who will take over full care of the most productive terraces – managed organically.
60% of the harvest will be his, and the rest I’ll receive as olive oil. It feels like a fair deal: he earns a good living, and I can focus more on restoring the whole system.
60% of the harvest will be his, and the rest I’ll receive as olive oil. It feels like a fair deal: he earns a good living, and I can focus more on restoring the whole system.
Today’s supermarket: a patch of wild rocket (rucola) by the roadside near Benidorm ( Spain). Rocket is edible, abundant – looking forward to a simple, healthy meal later today.
#foraging #wildfood #rucola #rocket #edibleplants #urbanforaging #permaculture
#foraging #wildfood #rucola #rocket #edibleplants #urbanforaging #permaculture
February 8, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Today’s supermarket: a patch of wild rocket (rucola) by the roadside near Benidorm ( Spain). Rocket is edible, abundant – looking forward to a simple, healthy meal later today.
#foraging #wildfood #rucola #rocket #edibleplants #urbanforaging #permaculture
#foraging #wildfood #rucola #rocket #edibleplants #urbanforaging #permaculture
Only four kilometres from “our” mountain near Ibi, in a nature reserve close to Alcoi, a drone recently disturbed a vulture colony.
That kind of behaviour is disastrous for breeding birds and, in my view, should be dealt with very strictly.
#Ibi #Alcoi #rewilding #vultures #drones #disturbance
That kind of behaviour is disastrous for breeding birds and, in my view, should be dealt with very strictly.
#Ibi #Alcoi #rewilding #vultures #drones #disturbance
January 22, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Only four kilometres from “our” mountain near Ibi, in a nature reserve close to Alcoi, a drone recently disturbed a vulture colony.
That kind of behaviour is disastrous for breeding birds and, in my view, should be dealt with very strictly.
#Ibi #Alcoi #rewilding #vultures #drones #disturbance
That kind of behaviour is disastrous for breeding birds and, in my view, should be dealt with very strictly.
#Ibi #Alcoi #rewilding #vultures #drones #disturbance
1. Ecological weaving. Yesterday I tried to learn basket weaving in a group course in Driebergen. As you can see, no big success. The top rim was eventually finished for me by a heavily sighing instructor..
#rewilding
#wildfireprevention
#Basketweaving
#Permaculture
#mandenvlechten
#rewilding
#wildfireprevention
#Basketweaving
#Permaculture
#mandenvlechten
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 AM
1. Ecological weaving. Yesterday I tried to learn basket weaving in a group course in Driebergen. As you can see, no big success. The top rim was eventually finished for me by a heavily sighing instructor..
#rewilding
#wildfireprevention
#Basketweaving
#Permaculture
#mandenvlechten
#rewilding
#wildfireprevention
#Basketweaving
#Permaculture
#mandenvlechten
On the mountain the water is staying surprisingly well in the new reservoir. It probably only needs a little sodium bentonite to make it properly watertight.
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #waterstorage #ponds #permaculture #rewilding #drylands
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #waterstorage #ponds #permaculture #rewilding #drylands
January 17, 2026 at 6:34 PM
On the mountain the water is staying surprisingly well in the new reservoir. It probably only needs a little sodium bentonite to make it properly watertight.
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #waterstorage #ponds #permaculture #rewilding #drylands
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #waterstorage #ponds #permaculture #rewilding #drylands
This winter I had hoped for snow on “my” mountain near Ibi – no luck so far. Back in Utrecht the snow found me instead: a quiet white forest and a row of snow rabbits ( Nijntjes) in Julianapark. We don’t see this much snow here very often anymore.
#Utrecht #Netherlands #snow #winter #urbannature
#Utrecht #Netherlands #snow #winter #urbannature
January 5, 2026 at 6:05 PM
This winter I had hoped for snow on “my” mountain near Ibi – no luck so far. Back in Utrecht the snow found me instead: a quiet white forest and a row of snow rabbits ( Nijntjes) in Julianapark. We don’t see this much snow here very often anymore.
#Utrecht #Netherlands #snow #winter #urbannature
#Utrecht #Netherlands #snow #winter #urbannature
Wishing you all a year with more light, more wild nature and more time outside. Happy 2026!
(Some of you may recognise this view already – it’s the same rocky hillside above Ibi, just a new year ahead.)
#Ibi #Spain #mountains #rewilding #permaculture #NewYear
(Some of you may recognise this view already – it’s the same rocky hillside above Ibi, just a new year ahead.)
#Ibi #Spain #mountains #rewilding #permaculture #NewYear
January 1, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Wishing you all a year with more light, more wild nature and more time outside. Happy 2026!
(Some of you may recognise this view already – it’s the same rocky hillside above Ibi, just a new year ahead.)
#Ibi #Spain #mountains #rewilding #permaculture #NewYear
(Some of you may recognise this view already – it’s the same rocky hillside above Ibi, just a new year ahead.)
#Ibi #Spain #mountains #rewilding #permaculture #NewYear
The Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), in the huge numbers it’s planted in Spain, is extremely fire-prone. The problem isn’t the species itself but how we manage it: dense, uniform pine stands that turn into tinderboxes in drought. This kind of forest management really needs attention.
December 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), in the huge numbers it’s planted in Spain, is extremely fire-prone. The problem isn’t the species itself but how we manage it: dense, uniform pine stands that turn into tinderboxes in drought. This kind of forest management really needs attention.
After 48 hours of almost non-stop rain, the new water basins are holding up well: there’s still water in them. With a bit of extra natural clay added they should become great toad ponds!
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #ponds #midwifetoad #rewilding #permaculture
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #ponds #midwifetoad #rewilding #permaculture
December 27, 2025 at 12:58 PM
After 48 hours of almost non-stop rain, the new water basins are holding up well: there’s still water in them. With a bit of extra natural clay added they should become great toad ponds!
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #ponds #midwifetoad #rewilding #permaculture
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #ponds #midwifetoad #rewilding #permaculture
On the land there are now at least four sizeable witches’ brooms. This beautiful witches’ broom is growing in an Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis).
#Ibi #Spain #witchesbroom #PinusHalepensis #AleppoPine #trees #biodiversity #nature
#Ibi #Spain #witchesbroom #PinusHalepensis #AleppoPine #trees #biodiversity #nature
December 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
On the land there are now at least four sizeable witches’ brooms. This beautiful witches’ broom is growing in an Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis).
#Ibi #Spain #witchesbroom #PinusHalepensis #AleppoPine #trees #biodiversity #nature
#Ibi #Spain #witchesbroom #PinusHalepensis #AleppoPine #trees #biodiversity #nature
I don’t go up there very often – it’s a 100-metre scramble up to about 950 m – but today I was rewarded with a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea, 35 km away.
#Ibi #Spain #Mediterranean #mountains #views #landscape #drylands
#Ibi #Spain #Mediterranean #mountains #views #landscape #drylands
December 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I don’t go up there very often – it’s a 100-metre scramble up to about 950 m – but today I was rewarded with a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea, 35 km away.
#Ibi #Spain #Mediterranean #mountains #views #landscape #drylands
#Ibi #Spain #Mediterranean #mountains #views #landscape #drylands
On the mountain we finally had a good amount of rain again. A few more days of drizzle and the first níscalos (picture from wikipedia) will start popping up under the Aleppo pines
#Ibi #Spain #niscalos #Lactariusdeliciosus #AleppoPine #mushrooms
#Ibi #Spain #niscalos #Lactariusdeliciosus #AleppoPine #mushrooms
December 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
On the mountain we finally had a good amount of rain again. A few more days of drizzle and the first níscalos (picture from wikipedia) will start popping up under the Aleppo pines
#Ibi #Spain #niscalos #Lactariusdeliciosus #AleppoPine #mushrooms
#Ibi #Spain #niscalos #Lactariusdeliciosus #AleppoPine #mushrooms
Under the almond field we’ve dug a new water-catchment basin. Together with a small berm it should slow down runoff and reduce erosion further downhill. Heavy rain (DANA) is expected in the coming days – curious to see how it performs.
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #erosion #permaculture #rewilding
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #erosion #permaculture #rewilding
December 14, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Under the almond field we’ve dug a new water-catchment basin. Together with a small berm it should slow down runoff and reduce erosion further downhill. Heavy rain (DANA) is expected in the coming days – curious to see how it performs.
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #erosion #permaculture #rewilding
#Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #erosion #permaculture #rewilding
Reposted by Henk Rugenbrink
"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree," Martin Luther King Jr.
May 8, 2025 at 10:54 PM
"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree," Martin Luther King Jr.