The Maashorst is one of the largest nature reserves in North Brabant. An area with a beautiful, quiet nature core, forests and heathlands, drifting dunes, fens and old avenues. This nature reserve is an important recreation area for residents of the cores of the municipalities of Bernheze, Maashorst and Oss.
Various partners are working together to sustainably develop the area into one of the most special areas in the Netherlands.
Municipality Bernheze
The Maashorst is an important area for Bernheze, because of its natural, landscape and ecological qualities. The area plays a major role in the preservation and strengthening of biodiversity. The area is also important for keeping the water balance in balance. It is not without reason that we sometimes call it the ‘sponge of the region’.
But the area is also important for the quality of life in our municipality and the region. Many residents go into nature, where they enjoy the peace and quiet or are active. And then there is the economic importance. Precisely because it is such an attractive area for many, it offers opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Enough reasons for the municipality of Bernheze, together with our neighbouring municipalities and other area partners, to continue to work for a healthy and attractive Maashorst. So that these important qualities are preserved and our residents and entrepreneurs can continue to enjoy them now and in the future.
Municipality Maashorst
A large part of the nature reserve is located in the municipality of Maashorst. We therefore feel responsible to continue to work for the sustainable development of this special nature reserve. Together with the other partners. We must ensure that the natural value is preserved, despite external factors such as climate change. And in harmony with the various forms of recreation by residents and tourists.
The Maashorst is one of the largest contiguous nature reserves in Brabant. The Maas once flowed here. But due to a fracture in the earth’s crust, the earth rose more and more. As a result, the Maas was pushed to the east and the land became higher and higher. That height is called a horst. Hence the name: Maashorst.
Over the centuries, the nature reserve has changed considerably due to human intervention. Man was active in the area from an early age. The archaeological finds that have been made here also bear witness to this. Now nature is given the space to recover again. European bison, aurochs and Exmoor ponies, impressive large grazers, ensure that the natural landscape becomes what it once was: wild, pure and authentic. With open spaces and dark areas of forest. With heathlands and pools. A nature reserve where plants and animals feel at home and where man is an observer.
Municipality Oss
Anyone who first encounters Oss sees a modern, spacious, green municipality with a high level of amenities. Living in Oss means urban amenities, village hospitality, easy accessibility and a wonderful homecoming.
The Herperduin nature reserve is approximately 400 ha in size, part of the De Maashorst nature reserve, and owned and managed by the municipality of Oss. It used to be a heathland, drifting sand and agricultural area, but from the end of the 19th century it was planted with Scots pine to fix the drifting sand and to provide mine timber. There are still drifting sand remnants in the area and there are also a few lakes, namely the Klompven and the Groot Ganzenven.
In addition, we work with regional partners in varying combinations on numerous projects such as the Sustainable Polder, The Meandering Maas, development of De Maashorst, Recreation and Tourism, Heritage.
Staatsbosbeheer
Staatsbosbeheer manages and develops 270,000 hectares of nature and landscape in the Netherlands on behalf of the government. A great responsibility that we are proud of. And that we want to carry out in the best possible way. We like to show what we do and how we do it and to whom and in what way we are accountable. We protect nature, which we want to experience and use sustainably together with 17 million Dutch people.
A large part of the Maashorst is owned by Staatsbosbeheer. Unique pieces such as the Wijstgronden, the prehistoric burial ground and large parts of the grazed wilderness are part of this. Nature is largely allowed to take its course here. We believe it is important to protect the beautiful animals and plants in this nature.
Waterschap Aa en Maas
Nature reserve De Maashorst is drying out. This has an effect on agriculture and nature in the area and on the areas surrounding it. To counteract the drying out, the Aa en Maas water board is implementing various measures. These are aimed at retaining rainwater better and raising the groundwater level. This includes deepening streams, adjusting weirs and moving or removing culverts.
But this is not enough. That is why we are also working on additional measures that require more time. For example, the water board is investigating the possibility of converting coniferous to deciduous forest with the area partners, so that less evaporation takes place. We also want to allow rainwater to infiltrate more into the cores around the nature reserve. In addition, restoring the Peelrandbreuk can have added value for the water management in the area. This creates opportunities to make the Peelrandbreuk more visible in the landscape and to bring back the landscape elements that belong to it. In this way, visitors can learn more about the area.
