Kaaihoeve

The Kaaihoeve, home to the Provincial Nature Education Centre (PNEC), occupies a former farm in Meilegem, a village in the East Flemish municipality of Zwalm. The farm lies close to the Oude Schelde, an old, cut-off arm of the Scheldt in the Kaaimeersen nature reserve.

The farm belongs to the province of East Flanders, which bought it in 1991 and brought it into use in 1994. It was an existing farm dating back to the 18th century. The name refers to the former landing and unloading quay on the Scheldt, which had warehouses for storing and transferring coal and lime, among other goods, shipped up the Scheldt from Tournai. The purchase was initially part of the "Revaluation of the Scheldt valley" programme, but attention gradually widened to environmental issues in the broadest sense.

The buildings and grounds serve as an education and documentation centre on nature and environmental care. It is aimed at young people, schools and anyone with an interest in the subject. Exhibitions are also held here, and the site makes a good base for walks and cycle rides, educational or otherwise.