Public walk Het Moorselen Keelgras

IVN Laarbeek is holding a public walk through Het Moorselen and Keelgras, two nature reserves between Lieshout and Mariahout. The walk starts from the tennis park on Provinciale Weg 22, in Lieshout and lasts about 2 hours. Guides from IVN will tell you about the history, water management, the management of these nutrient-poor soils, the plants and animals and the different biotopes.

The Moorselen
Het Moorselen is a nature reserve between Lieshout and Mariahout, covering about 10 ha.
It consists of marshy grasslands with ditches and pools surrounded by willow woods. The area is already very old, having existed as far back as the Middle Ages. It was part of the domain of Lieshout, which was owned by the abbey of Floreffe. Several fens surrounded the area. As a result, the area was under water for much of the year. Until they started digging the Ginderdoorse Loop. The area was partly drained and turned into grassland, which was mowed in late summer. The hay was food for cattle. No cattle were allowed to graze there, so the grasslands remained sparse and grew many kinds of flowers and herbs. It proved impossible to reclaim the area, fortunately, because this is how the natural situation remained. The Moorselen is known for its many species of plants, especially orchids, sedge species, ridge grass, rattle and marsh weed. Deer and hares roam there and several species of birds are found, including yellowhammer and reed bunting. 

Keelgras
This nature reserve of about 6 ha is located across the Broeksteeg, the road connecting Ginderdoor to Knapersven. It was a marshy area in the Middle Ages, already mentioned in a document of April 1246, written by sheriff Hendrik of Herentals and ratified by Duke John II of Brabant, under the name Keleghars. After the digging of the Ginderdoorse Loop, the area became dry and grazing land was created. The undeveloped part became municipal property of Lieshout. The latter constructed a waste dump there. Later, except for a small swampy part, this dump was covered with sand and planted. On top is a watchtower. Several species of birds live there and there is a badger sett.