Top 5 Natural Monuments in Natuurreservaat De Maten

The name Maten is related to the English "meadows". The area is part of De Wijers, a pond complex on the transition from the Kempens Plateau to the Demer Valley. On the poor sandy soils of the Kempen, fish farming was a source of extra protein. As early as the Middle Ages, series of ponds were created by means of simple cross-dikes in the valley. The overflow from one pond simultaneously forms the supply for the next pond. For the ponds in De Maten, the Stiemerbeek valley was dammed up several times. As fish farming became more intensive in the first half of the twentieth century, many ponds were given separate inlets and outlets. In De Maten, you will still find a mix of both systems. The water management is therefore a complex part of the management of one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders.

The Bumblebee in the De Maten nature reserve isn't just an animal or insect habitat, but a pond (étang), a water feature that forms part of the rich pond landscape in this beautiful nature reserve between Genk and Diepenbeek (Belgium). The Bumblebee is one of the many ponds in De Maten that together form the pond complex belonging to the De Wijers landscape (the land of 1001 ponds). This pond is located near waterways such as Schutwijer and Sint-Janswijer and is part of the hiking networks that run through the reserve. You'll encounter the Bumblebee when following routes that pass various ponds, such as the walks along Volmolenweg and the paths around the Slagmolen. These routes allow you to experience the character of De Maten and its variety of open water, reed beds, and wetlands that support a rich bird and plant life. The Bumblebee is located in the northeastern part of the reserve, not far from paths and other ponds that offer views of the water and nature. It's a lovely spot for quiet, bird song, and reflections in the water during your walk. Bring binoculars when walking around De Maten, as the ponds, including De Hommelaar, often attract waterfowl and other wildlife, especially early in the morning or at sunset.

In De Maten nature reserve, grazers play a vital role in preserving the landscape and biodiversity. The area consists of a mix of wet meadows, marshes, reed beds, ponds, and heathland. Without human or animal intervention, parts of this landscape would gradually become overgrown with shrubs and trees. To prevent this, various types of grazers are used. Galloway cattle: These Scottish cattle are prized for their robustness and natural grazing style. They keep grass and shrub growth under control, thus preserving open landscapes such as wet heathlands and grasslands. Konik horses: Sometimes used to keep areas accessible for typical marsh and grassland plants. Their grazing behavior differs from that of cattle, creating a varied effect on vegetation. Sheep and other small grazers: In some areas, they are used for fine-grained management, such as grazing reed banks or open meadows. 🌱 Why grazing? Biodiversity: Keeping grasslands and reed beds open creates opportunities for rare plants, amphibians, and birds. Natural management: Grazers follow their instincts and spread seeds through their fur and dung, creating a dynamic and self-sustaining ecosystem. Reed and shrub management: Especially in wetlands, grazers ensure that reed beds don't become too dense and that wetlands remain open to waterfowl and other wildlife.

Homeleswijer is one of the characteristic ponds (wijers/ponds) you'll encounter during walks through the De Maten nature reserve in the Belgian province of Limburg. It lies within the watery landscape of the reserve, which is part of the larger De Wijers pond area, a network of natural and man-made ponds that originated from centuries-old fish farming traditions in the region. In De Maten, the Stiemerbeek stream and its tributaries formed the basis for pond complexes containing water features like the Homeleswijer. Dams and overflows made fish farming possible, creating a unique marsh and pond landscape full of reed beds, open water, and wet grasslands. Walking trails through De Maten—ranging from short loops to longer hikes—run along and around these ponds. They are true natural treasures: herons, waterfowl, and typical marsh plants can be found here, and information boards often line the path explaining the ecology and water management. Many walks along the Homeleswijer are signposted and start, for example, at the Slagmolen in Genk or at other access points in De Maten.

All information about grazers from Natuurpunt: https://www.natuurpunt.be/system/files/2023-08/folder_148_begrazing_3-2015%20%281%29.pdf

With a fascinating information board about the different types of birds that you can find in De Maten.

In the Maten you will find a piece of authentic wine landscape with beautiful ponds, connected by heads and tails. It is the area par excellence for bird lovers, as the Wijers are a breeding area for numerous water and songbirds. The Augustijnenvijver is a stopping place for countless birds during bird migration. The routes connect Genk with Diepenbeek and guide you past the ponds of the Maten to the Diepenbekerbos.

The name Maten is related to the English "meadows". The area is part of De Wijers, a pond complex on the transition from the Kempen Plateau to the Demer valley. On the poor sandy soils of the Kempen, fish farming was a source of extra proteins. As early as the Middle Ages, series of ponds were constructed using simple cross dikes in the valley. The overflow from one pond simultaneously forms the supply for the next pond. For the ponds in De Maten, the Stiemerbeek valley was dammed several times. As fish farming became more intensive in the first half of the twentieth century, many ponds were given separate inlets and outlets. In De Maten, you can still find a mix of both systems. Water management is therefore a complicated part of the management of one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders.