De Caters

Green oasis

This forest of around 10 hectares is situated near the domain Catershof and the castle of ’s Gravenwezel. The area forms a green oasis in an urban environment. The variety of trees and plants offers a home to several species of animal, such as bats.

The forest forms a unique green link between the valley of ‘t Klein Schijn and the anti-tank canal that runs through the domain De Haar.

The role of Kempens Landschap
In 1999, our organisation purchased the forest in De Caters in order to preserve the area in its entirety and guard against fragmentation. Since then, we have been working according to a forest management plan aimed at controlling alien species, and have selectively removed trees for security reasons on several occasions. A bunker on the domain has been set up as a wintering place for bats. Since 2013, a forest meadow has been in use as a horse paddock for the BUSO school Zonnebos, which offers secondary education to children with special needs. Four therapy horses help young people from the school in a beautiful setting.