Venusberg - orange - 6,1 km

In the area around Venusberg, Natuurpunt has been working for years with its many volunteers on field management and heathland restoration. Elsewhere in the Vallei van de Zwarte Beek, this volunteer association manages various unique natural gems.

The Zwarte Beek in Limburg is one of the ecologically most valuable waterways in Flanders. Nevertheless, work is also needed there to further improve water quality and the fish population.

The downstream section of the Zwarte Beek was straightened in the past. Weirs were installed, causing the loss of contact between the watercourse and its valley. In 2017-2018, a re-meandering project was carried out by the Flemish Environment Agency in cooperation with Natuurpunt. The Zwarte Beek restoration project improved the structural quality of the watercourse over a length of more than 2.5 km. In the areas ‘Bocht van Laren’ and ‘Schurfert,’ (historical) meanders were excavated again, and the straightened sections of the Zwarte Beek were (partially) filled in. As a result, the Zwarte Beek regained its flowing character.

The alternation between inner and outer bends, with associated variations in flow velocity, erosion, and sedimentation processes, now creates new opportunities for flow-loving fish species such as nase, loach, and other water-loving plants and animals. The fish migration bottlenecks in the Zwarte Beek, such as the weir near the Gestelse Heide and the Gestelse mill, were made passable for fish. Besides improving the watercourse structure, the project also increased the valley's water retention capacity and restored the landscape and ecological values in the nature reserve.