Forestry Gees

The deciduous forest in the Gees forestry was created in the thirties of the last century. Forestry Gees is slightly higher than the surrounding grassland. The trees had to restrain the drifting sand. The forest and the meandering Geeserstroom have developed into a beautiful nature reserve in the old landscape.

Traces of the past are on full display, from penguins to burial mounds. Pingoruine the mekelermeer is a relic from the last ice age and a geologic monument. Between the trees you will find fairytale fens and moors. In the Gees forestry is also the heathland de Hooge Stoep, which is about 70 hectares in size. It is a beautiful elongated, rolling heathland where snakes (Grass snakes, Vipers and Smooth snakes), roe deer, tree martens and many species of birds live.

On the east side of the Gees forestry the streams rise; Marsstroom, Westerstroom and Broekstroom. Together they form the Geeserstroom downstream, which was formerly called the Loodiep. But even before places like Meppen or Gees came into being, this area was already inhabited. The oldest traces of this are from about 5,000 years BC. During excavations, knives to process animal skins were found at Meppen, among other places. A bronze bucket from the Bronze Age has also been found. Later, in the Middle Ages, Meppen was the first real core of habitation in the area. Along the stream, farmers from Meppen, Gees and Zwinderen have been hewing and grazing their cows for centuries.

Between 1927 and 1970, the entire stream system of the Geeserstroom was straightened and connected to canals and canals. In the 60s, the entire stream valley also had to be overhauled. The aim was an 'efficient allotment' to keep up with the constant demand for economies of scale and efficiency. However... It didn't happen. The Nature Conservation Council was diametrically opposed to the subdivision plans. In addition, the appreciation for ancient landscapes increased at that time. Eventually, the stream valley landscape of the Geeserstroom originated the dance and the hayfields, canals and hedgerows were spared. Eventually, all kinds of authorities recognized the ecological and cultural-historical value of the stream valley and all kinds of plans were made to further develop the area.

In 2006 the stream was restored to its former glory as it flowed around 1900. It has gone from a straight stream to a meandering stream and the area around it has become wetter. The self-regulating, natural stream valley system creates a new landscape; a flow-through swamp.

The source area of the Geeserstoom, the Mepper Hooilanden, was excavated. The Mepper Haylands intention was to turn it into a "terrestrial vegetation", it became a swamp landscape. It did not become far terrestrial swamp with incipient peat formation. The depression was full of (seepage) water and turned out to be much deeper than planned. The area remained open and wet. The wet grasslands around the Geeserstroom are grazed by dozens of Scottish Highlanders who regularly cross the swamp in the middle of the stream valley. The changes have had a major impact on the flora and fauna of the area. It developed very quickly into an important stopping place for migratory and wintering waterfowl Nowadays the Geeserstroom is a breeding and stopping place for many marsh birds, such as the bittern, bluethroat, many ducks and water ral, also the stork and birds of prey often show themselves.

Because the area became much wetter, there was also a downside that farmers and villagers in the area found less leu. From 2014, the province received a large stream of complaints from the area because of flooding. The residents of the area had water in their basements. The farmers could no longer grow certain crops because the water was too high. And the recreation sector indicated that tourists could no longer enter certain areas, because everything was under water. In 2015, the province formed the 'Working Group Geeserstroom' in which each party could join a member to represent his or her interests. In 7 years they have made a plan with a compromise between all parties, no one has completely got their own way, but everyone agrees. The swamp will be somewhat smaller, but large enough for the water birds present, the water level around the area will be lower for farmers and local residents. In one part, the cultural-historical landscape is restored with grazing along a meandering stream, as residents like to see.

Various sources: WUR, natuurkieker, Gees-Klencke, RTV Drenthe, Het Reestdal

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