The region

De Wijers candidate UNESCO Man and the Biosphere

Why is De Wijers a candidate?

De Wijers is an exceptional water-rich cultural landscape in the heart of Limburg. As the largest contiguous pond region in Belgium, De Wijers is distinguished by its unique interplay of water, nature, heritage, and human activity.

Centuries of fish farming, agriculture, water management, and resource extraction have shaped the landscape into what it is today: a distinctive region characterized by ponds, stream valleys, wetlands, heathlands, forests, open spaces, heritage sites, and vibrant places to live and work.

Societal Challenges in the Region

Today, De Wijers is at the crossroads of several major societal challenges.

Climate change is bringing longer periods of drought and more intense rainfall. Biodiversity is under pressure, and open space is becoming increasingly scarce. At the same time, residents and visitors want to continue enjoying the landscape, farmers and entrepreneurs are seeking prospects for the future, and the need for sustainable forms of recreation, tourism, and nature-based experiences continues to grow.

This is precisely why the partners of De Wijers are preparing a nomination for UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) status. This nomination is not an end goal in itself, but a catalyst to further strengthen existing partnerships and support the sustainable development of the region. The ambition is clear: to develop De Wijers into a model region where nature, water, heritage, agriculture, entrepreneurship, research, and quality of life do not compete with one another but instead reinforce each other.

The nomination builds on more than twenty years of collaboration among local authorities, the Province of Limburg, Flemish government agencies, nature and landscape organisations, water managers, knowledge institutions, entrepreneurs, farmers, volunteers, residents, and land managers.

Together, they are working towards a shared future:

• a stronger and more climate-resilient water system;
• healthier ecosystems and greater biodiversity;
• a landscape in which heritage remains visible and accessible;
• space for sustainable entrepreneurship, agriculture, and tourism;
• increased knowledge, engagement, and pride among residents and visitors;
• a region that preserves its unique identity while embracing the future.

International Recognition with Local Benefits

Recognition as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve would strengthen the position of De Wijers within Limburg, Flanders, and beyond. It would confirm the exceptional value of the pond landscape and acknowledge the many years of dedicated work already carried out in the area. At the same time, it would provide a clear international framework for further developing cooperation, knowledge sharing, and sustainable development.

For De Wijers, the added value of such recognition would be felt primarily at the local level. The label could help raise the region’s profile, unite partners around shared objectives, and create new opportunities for projects, research, education, collaboration, and funding.

It would reinforce De Wijers as a model region for integrated landscape development: a place where nature conservation, water management, heritage preservation, economic activity, and quality of life are considered together.

Recognition would offer opportunities for:

• greater visibility of De Wijers as a unique pond landscape and as the “Land of 1,001 Ponds”;
• stronger collaboration between public authorities, nature organisations, farmers, entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, volunteers, and residents;
• participation in a global network of biosphere reserves where knowledge and practical experience are exchanged;
• new partnerships in research, monitoring, education, and demonstration projects;
• additional opportunities for projects and funding related to nature, water, climate, heritage, visitor experiences, and sustainable development;
• increased engagement, pride, and ambassadorship among everyone who lives, works, does business, or visits De Wijers.

UNESCO Man and the Biosphere status therefore does not mean that De Wijers is a finished project. Rather, it signifies a clear commitment by the region to continue learning, collaborating, and carefully passing on its unique landscape to future generations.

Together, We Shape De Wijers

De Wijers is not the project of a single organisation. It is a broad partnership in which many stakeholders contribute, each from their own role, to the future of the area. Local authorities, the Province of Limburg, Flemish government agencies, nature and landscape organisations, water managers, knowledge institutions, entrepreneurs, farmers, volunteers, residents, and visitors are all part of the story.

This collaboration is essential. The challenges facing De Wijers are too significant and too interconnected to be addressed separately. Water does not stop at municipal boundaries. Ecological connections require cooperation between landowners and managers. Heritage only gains meaning when stories are shared. Recreation and tourism require a balance between visitor experience and carrying capacity. And sustainable development can only succeed when it is supported by the people who live, work, and do business in the region.

The De Wijers partnership therefore works collaboratively, both geographically and thematically, on issues including:

• water and climate;
• nature and biodiversity;
• landscape, heritage, and open space;
• agriculture and sustainable land use;
• recreation, tourism, and entrepreneurship;
• research, education, and knowledge sharing;
• communication, engagement, and regional identity.

By joining forces, partners create economies of scale and ensure that projects are better aligned with one another. In this way, De Wijers is gradually evolving into a learning and resilient landscape where collaboration, knowledge, and engagement are at the heart of sustainable development.

Where Is De Wijers?

De Wijers is located in central Limburg and includes parts of Diepenbeek, Genk, Hasselt, Heusden-Zolder, Houthalen-Helchteren, and Zonhoven. The area is characterised by a fine-meshed network of ponds, stream valleys, wetlands, and open spaces. Owing to its strategic location, De Wijers forms a connecting landscape between several distinct Limburg regions and serves as a green counterpart within a highly urbanised environment.

Today, more than 20 partners work together on a daily basis to ensure the sustainable development of this remarkable region.