Park Berg en Bos Apeldoorn
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Our forests in Apeldoorn are not doing well

  • 7 July 2022

This year and in the years to come, you will see changes in the forest. For example, we are putting up fences around young trees to stop animals from eating them. We’re also removing conifers in various parts of the forest and planting different types of deciduous trees. This will better protect the forest against wildfires and encourage a greater variety of animal and plant species.

To protect special areas of natural beauty and prevent conflicts between different types of use (such as mountain bikers and walkers), it is a good idea to divide the area into zones. To this end, we are reviewing the zoning of the areas and the existing network of walking and cycling routes. By closing off the odd path here and there and creating new routes, we reduce the pressure of use on special natural areas, without detracting from the forest experience. There are also measures that are less visible to visitors. For example, we are working to ensure the soil has a good nutrient balance. We are reducing the risk of uncontrollable wildfires by maintaining fire-retardant boundaries. We monitor and take measures to protect various rare animal and plant species, such as the stag beetle, the blue-winged grasshopper and the sand lizard. And we ensure peace and quiet in areas of high natural value. 

Wildzwijn
Wild boar
Hertjes in het bos
Deer in the woods

Why are forests important?

Forests provide us with many important things. These include clean air, timber, water catchment, food, CO₂ storage, cooling, a variety of plants and animals, and natural beauty. Most people enjoy spending time in the forest and admiring nature. It contributes to good health. This is why we must look after the forest properly. The forest management plan takes into account the sustainable use of the forest, so that it can continue to provide what is needed in the future.

Management

Berg en Bos Nature Park and Dennenheuvel are very different, both in terms of forest composition and land use. That is why there are different management plans for the two areas.

At Berg en Bos Nature Park, the preservation of an ecologically valuable forest is the top priority. The second priority is recreational use and the management of the aforementioned heritage. Timber production also offers the possibility of sustainable use; it can be a means of achieving ecological objectives.

In Dennenheuvel/Philipsbosje, we’re ensuring that it remains a pleasant place to spend your leisure time. In addition, we are improving the natural environment wherever possible. In both areas, we are working to promote stability, vitality and high biodiversity by utilising natural processes and adopting a small-scale approach. This results in a robust ecosystem that can cope with the effects of climate change.

Measures over the next ten years

  • We manage the forest on a small scale and in a way that follows nature’s lead: we make use of natural processes, intervene gradually and work towards creating a mixed forest with plenty of native tree species.
  • We are planting new deciduous trees and protecting them with fencing, so that the number and diversity of deciduous tree species increases.
  • We are working on soil development and achieving a good nutrient balance. We do this by using smaller machinery, so that there is little or no track formation or compaction of the forest floor. In addition, we restore the nutrients in the soil by planting specific trees and shrubs, and we carry out research to determine whether additional nutrients need to be added.
  • We reduce the risk of uncontrollable wildfires by improving the overall health of the forest and dividing it into compartments. In doing so, we establish fire-retardant boundaries.
  • We take particular care of trees with high-quality timber. To this end, trees with good-quality timber are systematically given priority over those with lower-quality timber. That does not mean there is no place for crooked, thick, old trees or trees of less productive species. They certainly have their place too.
  • We are restoring the quality of old oak and beech forests by creating attractive forest edges and clearings, and by preserving old trees.
  • We are taking measures to protect rare animal and plant species, such as the stag beetle, the blue-winged grasshopper and the sand lizard. One example of this is increasing the proportion of dead wood and old trees in which they can take shelter and find food.
  • We ensure tranquillity in areas that are important for nature, whilst providing opportunities for recreation and development in other areas. We are reviewing the network of paths and reducing its extent in ecologically important parts of the forest.
  • We ensure that the forest remains safe and accessible by carrying out regular tree safety checks and pruning dead wood. We maintain the paths to a high standard, and enforcement also plays an important role.
  • We preserve important heritage features for the future by preventing damage to the ground and maintaining heritage sites such as burial mounds. Providing information plays a key role in this.

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