The National Parks Partnership (SNP) released the following press statement this morning in response to the Cabinet's announced cuts for the National Parks.
Cabinet Abandons National Parks
National Parks to receive almost 24 million euros less from the government
In the spring memorandum, the Cabinet announces significant cuts for the National Parks. While new National Parks policy for the period 2024-2030 has been developed in recent years and the parks, together with the Ministry of LVVN and 15 partners, signed a manifesto in mid-April to work together on this policy, the Cabinet will almost entirely phase out its promised contribution of 5 million euros per year to the parks by 2030.
The National Parks conclude that the Cabinet is acting in contravention of the National Parks Policy Program 2024-2030 and exceeds all boundaries of reasonableness and decency. After years of intensive preparation, the joint national parks, together with all partners, are ready to further implement the goals set nationally and regionally. The Ministry of LVVN plays a major role in this, given its responsibility for the system.
What does this announced cut mean?
If the Cabinet proceeds with the cuts, the National Parks will no longer have resources for education and information from 2026. The organization of the many volunteers supporting the National Parks can no longer be maintained in most parks. From 2027, funding for tasks such as nature restoration, biodiversity improvement, spreading recreational pressure, or greening transitions between rural and urban areas will disappear. As a result, the country's largest recreational facility – nature – will ultimately become inaccessible, and nature will decline. Each year, over 6 million Dutch people use these free and largest recreational facilities in the Netherlands.
Added Value
National parks are not just areas, but also collaborations. Residents, entrepreneurs, landowners, governments, farmers, and other involved organizations work together to protect, learn from, and experience nature and its related culture. They seek and find solutions to contemporary social challenges. National parks are natural heritage with a history of economic value, including agriculture, drinking water production, and recreation. And they still have that value today. Recent research by Ecorys shows that the national parks label generates 70 million euros in additional revenues on top of the economic value generated by nature. European research shows that every euro invested in nature yields returns ranging from 8 to 38 times.
The Story of the Parks
The Netherlands has 21 national parks. Together, they form the top collection of nature and landscape in our country. They are the places where you can enjoy the most beautiful nature and are home to special plants and animals. Each park has its own unique character, identity, and story, intertwined with regional history and culture. Together they showcase the diversity in landscapes and nature and tell the story of the origin of the Netherlands. Moreover, they are the literal nurseries of natural values that require conservation and restoration. That’s what we work hard on every day.