Nature in the Netherlands

The Dutch take great pride in their efforts to preserve what is left of the natural surroundings. Because there are so little remaining, however, one often has the feeling of walking through a mall rather than a natural environment, due to the great numbers of people these surroundings attract. For optimal enjoyment it is therefore recommended to visit these areas during the week. From the dunes on the beaches to the striking beauty of the Veluwe, it is understandable why the Dutch are intent on preservation.

The climate and environment of the Netherlands play host to a large fowl population, most considerably, but not limited to, waterfowl. One can regularly spot both large waterfowl, such as the reiger and cormorant, as well as birds of prey. Deers, boars and badgers reside in the Veluwe, although seen infrequently. While bears, wolves and the lynx once resided in the Netherlands, they are now extinct in the region.

In abundance are hedgehogs, frogs (look out for the occasional frog crossing), squirrels, rabbits and of course the urban-dwelling pigeons, seagulls and ducks, in addition to the castle-dwelling swans. And of course, the passive, serene four-legged beast that gives the illusion that living in the Netherlands is like living in the country, the cow.

If you're interested in participating in the preservation of the natural beauty of the Netherlands, you can visit the Stichting Natuur en Milieu website.