Visits to woodland/forests, nature areas and recreation areas

Some 40% of the Dutch population visit woodland/forests, nature areas or recreation areas more or less regularly.

Trends

In the 1980s there was a slight increase in the number of visitors to woodland/forests, nature areas and recreation areas. In the 1990s numbers fell back somewhat to the level in the early 1980s. The figures cover visits to large protected nature areas, such as the Hoge Veluwe and the Posbank, and to specially developed recreation areas outside towns and cities.

Technical note

The data presented are for the total number of visits, i.e. the total number of frequent visits (at least once a month) plus occasional visits (less than once a month) by persons aged 6 and older.

The data are from the Supplementary Study of the Use of Facilities (Aanvullend Voorzieningengebruik Onderzoek, AVO). This is a survey of more than 6000 households carried out every four years on behalf of the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP). The AVO measures the use made of a large number of public and cultural facilities.

References

• SCP (2001). De sociale staat van Nederland. Boek 2001-14. Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau. Den Haag.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• More detailed information (only in Dutch) about the Supplementary Study of the Use of Facilities can be found at: www.scp.nl/onderzoek/avo99/.