The Hoge Kempen National Park, in the Belgian province of Limburg, is a unique nature reserve where more than 12 000 ha of forest and heathland are managed and protected. The area stretches across the municipalities of As, Bilzen, Bree, Dilsen-Stokkem, Genk, Lanaken, Maasmechelen, Maaseik, Oudsbergen and Zutendaal.
It is the natural 'highlight' of the Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland (Kempen and Maasland Regional Landscape), known for its unique Cycle Route network.
The Hoge Kempen National Park was officially opened on 23 March 2006.
National Park Bureau
A multidisciplinary NATIONAL PARK BUREAU is charged with a series of tasks on behalf of the National Park Coalition in order to realise the mission, ambition, spatial vision and objectives of the Master Plan 20-40.
The Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland vzw is the commissioning authority for the development of the National Park Bureau within its operation.
Partners
The nature managers (i.e. Agentschap Natuur & Bos, Limburgs Landschap vzw, Natuurpunt vzw, Orchis vzw, ...), municipalities (i.e. As, Bilzen, Bree, Dilsen-Stokkem, Genk, Lanaken, Maaseik, Maasmechelen, Oudsbergen, Zutendaal), the Limburg Provincial Administration and the Flemish Government with their relevant organisations, services or agencies, together form the NATIONAL PARK COALITION.
In total the National Park Coalition currently consists of 32 coalition partners.
Municipal partners:
- City of As
- City of Bilzen
- City of Bree
- City of Dilsen-Stokkem
- City of Genk
- Municipality Oudsbergen
- City of Maaseik
- Municipality of Maasmechelen
- Municipality of Lanaken
- Municipality of Zutendaal
Flemish partners:
- Nature & Forest Agency
- Department of the Environment
- Heritage Agency
- The Flemish Land Agency
- Department of Economy, Science & Innovation
- Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Roads & Traffic Agency
- Department of Mobility and Public Works
- De Vlaamse Waterweg NV
- Department of Welfare, Public Health & Family
- Tourism Flanders
- Sport Flanders
Provincial partners
- Province of Limburg
- Bosgroep Limburg vzw
- Toerisme Limburg vzw
- Limburg Reconversion Company (nv LRM)
- Hasselt University
Other Partners
- Limburg Landschap vzw
- Natuurpunt vzw
- Orchis vzw
- Regionaal Landschap Haspengouw & Voeren vzw
