Description

For this year's family walk, we are settling down in the Weerterbos. This nature reserve lies on the border between Limburg and North Brabant, north-west of Weert.
The area has very rich flora and fauna and is known for the occurrence of rare and interesting butterfly species and beautiful varied landscapes. Most of the Weerterbos consists of different forest types. Because of its location in the lowlands, there used to be a lot of marsh here and the Oude Graaf, which crosses the area, took care of the drainage of excess water. Given the humid nature of the area, sturdy walking shoes or boots are definitely recommended!

After several nature restoration projects, open still water also reappears in the Weerterbos. The previously present fens had mostly turned into dense willow thickets. After removing these bushes and excavating the enriched water bottom, beautiful fens now reappear in the area. The Koolespeelke on the eastern edge of the area is the first fen where restoration management has taken place. More fens will gradually be restored in the coming years, greatly increasing the variety in the marshy forest. On the northwest side of the Weerterbos is an open grassland area. This belongs to the Grashut, a farm. Deer regularly graze on the farm's land.

In 2005, red deer were released in a fenced area of the Weerterbos. A topical item in the conservation world given the current debate about whether or not to introduce red deer into the Meinweg! Our guide can definitely tell something about the general pros and cons in the discussion. And with a bit of luck, we will be able to admire these and other animals 'live' during our walk.

The area is managed by the Limburgs Landschap Foundation. Led by Edmond Staal, an employee of the foundation and also known from the L1 programme "Natuurlijk Limburg "and a knowledgeable guide from the State Forestry Commission, we will explore the south-eastern corner of the park on a walk of about two hours and learn more about this exceptionally versatile nature reserve. After the walk, we will have lunch together at a restaurant near the nature reserve.

We would like to invite you to put on your walking shoes with us to explore this beautiful area and catch up over lunch afterwards

Walk led by Edmond Staal (known from L1) followed by a simple lunch from 12.30.

Speaker(s)

Edmond Staal (guide)

Location

Starting point Heugterbroekdijk 34 in Nederweert

parking at De Daatjeshoeve

Organiser

Region North and Central Limburg

Name and contact details for information

Chantal Konings - van der Goor 0475-356854 or 06-52401357