National parks across the Netherlands, including the Lauwersmeer and Schiermonnikoog, will be receiving a one-time financial impulse from the ministry of agriculture and nature.
Translation by Traci White
The Groninger Internet Courant reports that the 20 parks are tasked with using the funds to increase their publicity and improve their general appearance. Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Minister Carola Schouten hopes that the selected parks will also utilise the money for renewal as well. “People enjoy getting out into nature and are often moved by it, but nature is fragile and needs our protection.”
It is not yet clear how the six million euros will be distributed among the parks, but the provinces and municipalities will play a large role in determining how the funding is allocated between 2020 and 2022. Omrop Fryslan reports that villages and towns adjacent to some of the parks may also be eligible for a portion of the funds.
According to NOS, there are 21 national parks across the entire country. Six are located in the northern provinces: Dwingelderveld, de Drentsche Aa and the Drents-Friese Wold in Drenthe, and De Alde Feanen, Schiermonnikoog and Lauwersmeer in Friesland.