The Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park will double in size after Minister Jaimi van Essen (Nature, D66) approved National Park status for the northern part of the region. This area now joins the southern section, which already holds the designation.
Programme manager Jeroen Heemsbergen says the new status does not change how projects receive funding. “You should view National Park status as a quality label,” he says.
The largest expansion lies north of the A28. As a result, forests in the municipalities of Amersfoort, Soest, De Bilt and Baarn now fall within the park boundaries. Consequently, the total area grows from 11,324 hectares to 21,323 hectares.
The Utrechtse Heuvelrug stretches from the Grebbeberg near Rhenen to the Gooimeer. It forms a continuous sand ridge that developed more than 150,000 years ago during the ice ages. After the Veluwe, it stands as the largest forested area in the Netherlands. Heemsbergen adds that the region also carries significant cultural‑historical value because of its many country estates.
The National Park receives an annual subsidy of 450,000 euros from the Province of Utrecht and 200,000 euros from the central government. In addition, water boards De Stichtse Rijnlanden and Vallei en Veluwe, along with the municipalities of Soest, De Bilt and Baarn, contribute funds. “With that money, we carry out a variety of projects,” Heemsbergen says. “For example, we work with the water boards on measures against drought and flooding. We also fund visitor centres and educational materials.”
Heemsbergen stresses that the expansion will not introduce stricter rules for visitors. He also notes that the wolves in the area will continue their behaviour unchanged. “They pay no attention to a quality label,” he says.
@ANP | News Brainport
