National Parks

In 1969, the Netherlands joined the initiative taken by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) to create National Parks. The intention is to preserve and (sustainable) maintain large natural areas.

Current situation

The map shows the location of the National Parks in the Netherlands, of which there are currently fourteen: Schiermonnikoog, Dwingelderveld, Weerribben, Groote Peel, Biesbosch, Zuid-Kennemerland, Meinweg, Maasduinen (previously Hamert), Drents-Friese Wold, Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide, Loonse en Drunense Duinen, Duinen van Texel, the Oosterschelde marine park and the Drentsche Aa. There are also two National Parks (the Hoge Veluwe and the Veluwezoom) which were set up as a result of private initiatives. Four more National Parks are currently being established: Lauwersmeer, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Sallandse Heuvelrug and the Oude Venen; these are to receive definitive National Park status in 2003.

The Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide area is an international park under the terms of the Benelux Convention on Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection. The Meinweg National Park is part of the Dutch-German Meuse-Schwalm-Nette international park that was created in 1977.

Dutch National Parks are continuous areas of least 1 000 hectares. They comprise nature areas, water bodies and/or forest and woodland and have a special landscape and characteristic flora and fauna. They also offer extensive opportunities for recreational use. Compared to national parks in other countries, they are small in size.

Policy objectives

Dutch National Parks are established by the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality with the agreement of owners, management bodies and other organisations and bodies that are directly involved. These indicate that they are prepared to administer the area jointly as a National Park and to ensure long-term conservation. National Parks have multiple objectives in the sense that they combine nature conservation and development with opportunities for nature-oriented recreation, information and education, and for scientific research.