Staatsbosbeheer and De Hoop Terneuzen

De Hoop Terneuzen and Staatsbosbeheer have come together around a mutual interest: fighting the consequences of climate change by planting forests.

In ten years’ time, the Netherlands must have ten per cent more woodland. This goal is laid out in the forest strategy and is, according to Minister Schouten of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, necessary to restore biodiversity and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Trees and shrubbery can be planted in existing nature reserves, but also outside of them, where planting forests can be combined with other activities. The Minister is consulting with the provinces on execution of these plans.

Forest Vision

The Province of Zeeland has described the execution of the regional forest strategy in its Forest Vision. The Forest Vision sets forth where forest expansion is most desirable, and what the preferred character of the new forest should be. This improves the chances of creating spatial, recreational and ecological added value in Zeeland’s landscape. In the coming months, search areas and exclusions zones will be identified for the creation of forest and woodland landscape elements.

Outside the nature network, opportunities are being sought to combine the planting of trees with other projects. Take, for example, generating sustainable energy, reinforcing the water storage capacity, transitioning to more circular agriculture or developing an attractive recreational landscape.

De Hoop Terneuzen and Staatsbosbeheer

Based on our vision of continuity as an independent family company in the long term, we strive for sustainable development within our organisation. This also means taking social responsibility by making our ecological footprint as small as possible. Investing in planting 100 hectares of forest fits within this policy and is part of the organisation’s goal to reduce and compensate for its CO2 emissions as much as possible. We are convinced that, together, we can move mountains and build bridges toward an eco-friendly future.

Half a million trees

Over a period of three years, De Hoop Terneuzen’s investment will add 100 hectares of forest in Zeeland. This means approximately half a million healthy trees, which will be planted by Staatsbosbeheer in the places that need them the most. The result is a more varied forest and greater biodiversity of plant and animal life, making it a fun place to visit. What’s more, the new trees will store more CO2 than if we simply sat back and let nature take its course. On average, it’s a difference of 10-14 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year.