Venakärret, Naturreservat

The Venakärret nature reserve was established in 2016. The area's species-rich flora was recognized by botanists as early as the 19th century. Orchids are typical plants of a rich marsh - a unique and unusual environment that only forms in calcareous places.

A species-rich and calcareous marsh

The species that alone adds the most character to Venakärret is the small semi-grass axag that grows in tufts throughout the marsh. Axag is also typical of rich marshes with very high lime content. The lime in the bog comes from bedrock limestone. Venakärret also has plenty of slightly rarer sedge species, such as clubmoss, meadow sedge and beak sedge. Other plants of interest are hay meadow flowers and sedges.

Specialized mosses

The rich moss flora is also typical of Venakärret, with mosses favoring lime with imaginative names. How about marsh moss and scorpion moss? The rarest moss in the Vena marsh is the marsh scapania, which is only known from about 40 places in the country.

Old hayfield

Many fenlands have a past history as hay meadows. Older maps show that the inhabitants of Älvhytte have been haymaking in Venakärret since at least the 18th century, but the area has probably been used for haymaking longer than that. Mowing in Venakärret continued until the 1950s, after which reeds and trees slowly began to creep into the marsh. Parts of the marsh were restored in the 2010s. Today, cows graze in parts of the marsh and the northern edge of the forest, while the meadows closest to the village are kept open by mowing.

Would become arable land

In addition to overgrowth, many fenlands have also been lost through drainage to create more arable land. In the case of Venakärret, this was a close call in the 1850s. Drainage of the marsh was planned but was ultimately rejected. "After deliberation, the co-owners agreed to refrain from the draining company, which in their opinion was far too costly in relation to the anticipated benefits".

A village with many nature reserves

In the village of Älvhyttan you will find several nature reserves. A little further south, on the way up towards Övra gården is an old hayfield, Älvhytteängen. Just east of Venakärret you will find species-rich pastures in Vena hage and on the southwest shore of Lake Älvlången is Näsmarkerna - a species-rich forest pasture. A little further north you will find another small fen, namely Bromängen.

Accessibility

Trail and picnic area

A marked and partly walked path leads out to a headland in Venakärret. There is a picnic area with a view of the entire marsh and a barbecue area.

Is there firewood?

Firewood is available at the fireplace. Remember to burn in moderation, so that there is enough firewood for future guests. The firewood is replenished regularly, but we cannot guarantee availability at all times. If you want to be sure to be able to make a fire - bring your own firewood. It is not allowed to burn sticks and branches from the forest in the reserve.

Audio guide

Reclaim restoration project

In Venakärret, the Reclaim restoration project ran from 2012 to 2018, more information can be found on the project website www.reclaim-life.se Link to another website.