Today in Agadir (Morocco), the International Coordinating Council of the UNESCO Programme on Man and the Biosphere decided to recognize KempenBroek as a transboundary biosphere reserve. KempenBroek thus becomes the first UNESCO cross-border biosphere area in the Benelux, the first in Belgium and the second in the Netherlands.

Great celebration in the border park of KempenBroek, in the two provinces of Limburg and North Brabant and in the regional landscape of Kempen and Maasland.

An international network and a “strong brand”
The UNESCO program on man and the biosphere was created in 1971. It focuses on the relationship between humans and their environment. It transposes the principles of sustainable development into a local context, establishing a link between science, society and politics. Putting sustainable development into practice is the responsibility of all stakeholders: local governments, residents and businesses, schools, knowledge institutions and NGOs.

Globally, there are 748 biosphere zones in 134 countries (2023) that serve as icons of sustainable development. Only 23 of these are cross-border, with KempenBroek now the 24th. Belgium did not have a biosphere reserve until now; in the Netherlands, Maasheggen became the first UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2018.

KempenBroek immediately becomes a “strong brand” as a member of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, a dynamic and interactive network of spaces that promote harmony between people and nature for sustainable development through participatory dialogue; knowledge sharing; knowledge sharing; the reduction of poverty and the improvement of human well-being; respect for cultural values and the ability of society to cope with change.

A new jewel in the crown
The regional landscape of Kempen and Maasland is already the driving force behind this recognition. With the Hoge Kempen National Park, RivierPark Maasvallei and now the cross-border park KempenBroek, it once again sets an international standard in the field of nature, heritage and landscape development, with a strong societal support base and a high socio-economic return.

The KempenBroek cross-border park is a unique mosaic landscape, rich in nature and quality, located at the crossroads of the two provinces of Limburg and North Brabant, where the regional landscape of Kempen and Maasland has been working for 24 years with numerous partners, including all Flemish and Dutch municipalities (Bree, Bocholt, Maaseik, Kinrooi, Weert, Nederweert) for 24 years. and Cranendonck) and the provinces of Limburg (B), Limburg (NL) and North Brabant (NL).

Eight years ago, in 2016, the application procedure was launched at the request of the provinces and municipalities that include KempenBroek. To prepare the content of this application, a master plan was drawn up with the partners to develop the region in a sustainable manner. The application was submitted by the Flemish and Dutch UNESCO Commissions on September 29, 2023.

The welcome, both in the Netherlands and in Flanders, was enthusiastic. The municipality of Weert was already recognized as the greenest region in the world in 2014, in particular thanks to its investments in KempenBroek. The province of Belgian Limburg gains - after two national parks (Hoge Kempen and Bosland) and three landscape parks (RivierPark Maasvallei, Hart van Haspengouw and Grenzeloos Bocagelandschap) - a new jewel to its crown with this recognition from UNESCO.

Ignace Schops, director of the regional landscape Kempen en Maasland: “This recognition is very important not only for the protection of nature, landscape, heritage and agriculture. UNESCO is also a very strong brand in terms of marketing. The baker and the butcher, the owner of the hotel or the café, the farmer and the defender of the environment, the mayor and the entrepreneur... the entire local community benefits from this UNESCO recognition. In short, it's a feather in everyone's hat for years of support and belief! And what I find so powerful is that the recognition of UNESCO has no direct authority, but a status and a high appreciation on the part of the general public. I am counting on the Flemish and Dutch governments to invest financially in this recognition.”

“With the recognition of the KempenBroek region as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the regional landscape of Kempen and Maasland and the province of Limburg are setting a new milestone in Flanders and the Netherlands in terms of territorial cooperation. This shows once again that the protection of nature and the landscape can go hand in hand with sustainable socio-economic development,” said Bert Lambrechts, deputy responsible for the environment and nature and president of the regional landscape Kempen en Maasland.

What does that mean?
Biosphere zones are areas where local communities work together to build a positive and sustainable future for themselves and their region, that is, their part of the biosphere, the thin layer of our planet in which life is possible. Biosphere areas are characterized by their dynamism: innovative methods of protecting biodiversity go hand in hand with socio-economic development. It is therefore about the sustainable development of an area, which is also scientific in nature, with research and educational activities being important pillars.

Typically, zones do not operate “top-down” from a central government, but form a living partnership between local authorities, residents, businesses, schools, schools, knowledge institutions, and NGOs.

A biosphere area must have significant natural and cultural values and contain protected areas. The area should be representative of a landscape type and/or marine area so that the results of the biosphere project can be used elsewhere. Biosphere areas can consist of natural and cultural landscapes. Pure or wild nature is not a necessity.

No additional rules
UNESCO has no legislative power and, therefore, recognition as a biosphere reserve does not result in additional policies or protections for the entire area. UNESCO expects biosphere areas to achieve their goals, not by creating additional legislation or imposing restrictions, but through active dialogue between the various actors in the area. In addition, nothing changes the rights of citizens over their properties.

KempenBroek, the best kept secret in the Netherlands and Flanders!
Thanks to centuries of interaction between man and nature, KempenBroek consists of a particularly varied landscape where humid and swampy areas alternate with dry sand ridges. It is a true mosaic of landscapes with marshes, river valleys, river valleys, swamps, swamps, forests, moors and agricultural areas. The villages and some cities are also scattered within or on the periphery of the area, on the heights, and are now home to some 75,000 inhabitants in total.

This landscape diversity results in a rich biodiversity and the area plays an important role in the conservation of habitats and species in Flanders and the Netherlands. For the conservation of certain species, the area even plays an essential role!

From an economic point of view, the region, both in its Flemish and Dutch parts, is an important agricultural area, responsible for food production. In recent years, the importance of tourism as part of a sustainable rural economy has increased sharply.

For centuries, humans have drawn borders on the region's canvas, the last time in 1839 when it became a border region between Belgium and the Netherlands. The traces of this age-old border, past and present, in the form of markers, defense systems,... are legible in the landscape or are part of the common oral heritage.

It is a region with a quiet and discreet history. In this region located on the edge of KempenBroek, the supply of food on poor soil has required a daily struggle for existence for centuries. A rich cultural history therefore does not result in flashy cathedrals or monuments, but in functional buildings such as the numerous windmills and watermills. A rich culinary tradition and (traditional) festivities are living witnesses to the resilience of people who enjoyed life despite daily hardship.