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The Lighthouse

A place for learning how to restore land, work with nature, and live fossil fuel free.

What it is

The Lighthouse is a project in development in Enschede.
It is not yet a physical place, but a planned site for regenerative land use, education, and ecosystem restoration.

Why it exists

Most people want to help nature, but don’t know how.
The Lighthouse exists to make that knowledge practical, visible, and accessible.

What we are building

  • Regenerative land system

  • Food production in balance with nature

  • Animal systems designed for species-appropriate living within a functioning ecosystem

  • Track system for horses as part of land management and ecological processes

  • Learning space for hands-on education, connecting with community

  • Fossil fuel free infrastructure

What we are doing now

In its current phase (2026), The Lighthouse is focused on pilot projects and collaborations, learning by doing and gaining real-world experience together.

Right now we are actively looking for BOARD MEMBERS. 

 

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The Lighthouse projects

The Lighthouse functions as an umbrella project until it finds its permanent site.
It takes shape through a small number of connected, real-world initiatives that explore learning, land, and community in different ways.

Right now (2026), the Lighthouse has two main project streams: community-based gatherings (a women’s group) and a small-scale regenerative comparison plot project.

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Enschede Sister Circle

The first project of the Lighthouse is a bi-monthly women’s group hosted in collaboration with a local nonprofit (FRIDA book cafe). Started in January of 2026, this group focuses on connection, reflection, and shared learning, and forms part of The Lighthouse’s community-building work.

More info about Enschede Sister Circle on the website, CLICK HERE

 

Biodiversity Comparison Plot

What exactly are biodiversity comparison plots — and why start here?

These small research gardens are designed to show how different types of soil disturbance and care influence plant growth, root structure, insects, soil life, and overall ecosystem resilience. By planting the same mix of indicator species in each plot, we can clearly observe how the soil itself shapes the outcome.

The three plots will compare:

  1. Tilled soil — representing conventional disturbance-based land management.

  2. Undisturbed soil — planted directly, allowing natural soil structure and biology to stay intact.

  3. Mulched soil — covered with a thick layer of organic matter to support moisture retention, soil carbon, and habitat for life.

The plants in each plot will respond differently — and these responses help us “read” the soil and understand what it needs to regenerate.

This project is part of the wider vision of The Lighthouse, a community initiative dedicated to ecological learning, creativity, and regenerative land stewardship.

 

While the permanent home of The Lighthouse is still in progress, the research begins now — so the land can guide our next steps.

Follow along with this project CLICK HERE

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Vision

To create a living example of a system where plants, animals, and humans work together to restore ecosystems while meeting human needs.

The project responds to the current reality of ecological degradation, biodiversity loss, and dependence on fossil fuels.
It aims to show that different ways of living and producing food are not only possible, but necessary.

Healthy ecosystems depend on the interaction between soil, water, plants, and animals.
By rebuilding these relationships, land can recover, become more resilient, and support both nature and people.

The Lighthouse is intended as a practical, working model that can be observed, learned from, and applied elsewhere.

 

Mission

To create a place where people:

  • Learn by doing

  • Understand natural systems

  • Contribute to land restoration

  • Apply these principles in other contexts

Principles

  • Work with natural systems, not against them

  • Build soil, biodiversity, and resilience

  • Integrate animals as functional parts of the ecosystem

  • Reduce and remove fossil fuel dependence

  • Share knowledge openly

About the Founder, Noa

My background brings together community-based work, education, and years of tending to land and animals. I studied natural horsemanship along with equine behavior and psychology. I have spent years independently learning about regenerative agriculture and ecology.

I do not present myself as a soil scientist or agricultural consultant. My role at The Lighthouse is to act as an initiator, host, and facilitator—creating space where people can engage directly with the land and where those with practical expertise can share their knowledge in ways that are accessible and applicable.

The Lighthouse comes from a continuing fascination with how land, learning, nature, and community shape one another. When people learn through lived experience—especially in community—it transforms the way they care for the places around them.

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Who this is for

  • People who want to learn practical land skills

  • Volunteers

  • Professionals (ecology, agriculture, education, construction)

 

Current needs

  • Hands-on help (setup + land work)

  • Knowledge and guidance

  • Core contributors

 

Board members

We are currently looking for board members to help establish and guide the foundation.

We are specifically looking for people with experience in:

  • Financial management / budgeting

  • Legal and governance structures (non-profit / foundation)

  • Regenerative agriculture, ecology, or land-based projects

Board members will be involved in:

  • Strategic direction

  • Financial oversight

  • Legal and organizational setup

  • Supporting long-term stability of the project

[Link to full board role description]

Learning together, in community, helps turn environmental concern into practical action

Get in touch

If you’re interested in collaborating, sharing knowledge with enthusiastic learners, or learning together, please reach out. I look forward to hearing from you! 

Contact Founder and Director of Operations, Noa,

via email at theLighthouseNL@gmail.com

or by WhatsApp 0628120767

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