ANWB and World Wildlife Fund (WWF-NL) today present an important step towards sustainable recreation in the Netherlands with the publication of the report 'Recreation in the River Area'. ANWB and WWF-NL see plenty of opportunities for more recreational opportunities and nature development in the river area.
The Dutch recreation and nature areas are becoming increasingly busy. In the future, this situation will become even more urgent as a result of the growing population and increased tourism from home and abroad. Better use of river areas can make an important contribution to solving this problem. In these areas, nature restoration, recreation and water safety can reinforce each other. WWF-NL and ANWB call on managers of river areas to integrate these elements sustainably and to bring recreation and nature together in balance. The parties offer practical advice and are happy to think along about possibilities to put this into practice.
Opportunity for future generations
According to ANWB and WWF-NL, the river areas of Nederrijn/Lek, IJssel, Waal and Maas offer enormous opportunities to restore river nature on a large scale, to increase recreational opportunities and to improve the quality of the living environment for current and future generations within the framework of water safety. However, the opportunities that exist are not yet being used, according to the parties, because nature, recreation and water safety are considered too much as separate elements.
Janique Huijbregts of ANWB: “This involves making better use of river areas with forms of recreation that have a minimal impact on nature, such as walking, cycling or canoeing. The aim of this approach is to allow people to enjoy nature without disturbing or damaging it. Using river areas for recreation ensures a better distribution of holidaymakers and visitors and less burden on other nature areas.”
Judy Koppenjan of WWF-NL: “In the coming years, plans will be made for the future of the rivers in the Netherlands through programmes such as Integrated River Management (IRM). We are committed to ensuring that the opportunities to make these areas more natural and liveable are included in this. If nature and recreation are integrated into policy and projects from the start, our rivers will become places where people experience the beauty of our landscapes and feel a direct connection with the importance of nature restoration.”
Examples of recreation and nature restoration
The report 'Recreation in the River Area' contains inspiring examples of successful projects that show how recreation and nature restoration can go hand in hand. For instance, the Spiegelwaal near Nijmegen demonstrates the success of combining recreation (walking, swimming, etc.), water management (resolving bottlenecks), and nature development.
Another example is the Maaspark Ooijen-Wanssum, where a secondary channel has been created that not only increases water safety, but also offers opportunities for canoeing and swimming in safe zones. In the Gelderse Poort, the full opening of floodplains has led to a growth of the leisure economy, with new businesses such as bicycle rental and catering benefiting from the area's appeal. And the Meandering Maas project around the border of Brabant and Gelderland shows how dike reinforcement and development of river landscape and floodplains in intensive cooperation with residents can provide new recreational opportunities. These examples show the possibilities for smartly integrating recreation and nature in river areas.
Support and economic growth
The involvement of residents and users ensures a better quality plan when developing management plans for recreation and nature in the river areas. This leads to more support and less nuisance as a result of recreation. Of course it is important to prevent nuisance by recreation. That is why the report contains clear guidelines for recreationists, such as codes of conduct and campaigns and clear zoning (routes), but enforcement is also part of the advice.
However, the report not only provides guidance for visitors, but also shows that recreation and nature restoration can act as an economic catalyst. Entrepreneurs such as catering, bike rental and local guides can benefit from visitors to river areas. Furthermore, recreation stimulates social benefits such as better health, social cohesion and greater appreciation for nature conservation.
More information: www.anwb.nl