The Wilgenbos is located on the edge of the Knar. The Knar was already a concept long before the polder was drained. In the time of the Zuiderzee, fishermen knew this sand ridge, a Pleistocene upthrust, as a fish-rich spot, and skippers of freight ships avoided the shallows. Even before the Zuiderzee existed, the Knar was already known. At that time, as a safe height in the peat bog that covered Flevoland.

When Southern Flevoland dried up in the late 1960s, millions of willow seeds landed on the wet mudflats. A willow forest emerged that has developed into a true primeval forest. Nature was able to fully run its course. Research is being done on forest formation, but the forest also has a special significance due to the many lichens that occur there.

Over the years, this atmospheric natural forest has been able to develop undisturbed.

'Natural forest' does not always mean a lot of variety. The number of tree species in the Wilgenbos Reserve is limited to a few willow species including goat willow, almond willow, and grey willow. The fact that the forest still appears varied is due to natural variations in densities and growth forms. Open and closed, tall and low forests constantly merge into one another.

The constantly humid atmosphere makes the shady forest an ideal habitat for snails that inhabit tree trunks and branches in large numbers. Snails are sensitive to drying out, but they have found a good place in this forest. There is plenty of dead plant material on the forest floor, which they live on.

Dogs are not allowed.

Location: Southern Flevoland, west of the intersection of Vogelweg and Knardijk.

The area is managed by Het Flevo-Landschap.