Nature Reserve De Wateringen Gains More Space for Species-Rich Grassland

The poplar forest in De Wateringen is being transformed into a varied landscape with restored flood meadows and mixed deciduous forest.

Generic image of a forest area being transformed into a nature reserve, showing poplar trees being felled and grassland restoration work.
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Generic image of a forest area being transformed into a nature reserve, showing poplar trees being felled and grassland restoration work.

The nature reserve De Wateringen is undergoing a transformation to enhance its natural value, focusing on restoring flood meadows and creating a diverse landscape.

The area known as De Wateringen, currently largely composed of poplar forest historically planted for timber production, is being converted into a varied natural landscape. This initiative, outlined in the nature management plan, aims to strengthen the ecological value of the protected cultural-historical landscape.
Plans include felling poplars in the eastern section to make way for species-rich grassland and restoring the flood meadows. In the central part, the poplars will be maintained and restored, while the western section will gradually develop into a mixed deciduous forest.
Felling operations in the eastern part will commence in early November and are expected to last until the end of December. Following this, the irrigation systems will be further developed, though a specific timeline is not yet available. These interventions are designed to provide more opportunities for unique flora and fauna.
Based on information from the official source: Stad Lommel — Nieuws (02/11/2026)