What is Nature Park Hapert (Natuurpark Hapert)?
How wonderful would it be to live in the middle of nature? We believe we often already do so without realising it, and that we can turn Hapert into a true nature park: a village where a network of gardens and public green spaces strengthens the biodiversity and nature in our village.
Nature needs us, and we need nature. Insects, birds and mammals have been under pressure for years, worldwide and in our own region. The good news: everyone can contribute to recovery in simple, small-scale ways. Inspired by the book Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy, we take a fresh look at nature. Nature development within village and town boundaries is on the rise.
We are convinced that small initiatives can have a large impact. For most plants and animals there is no hard boundary between a nature reserve and a village. With Nature Park Hapert we are working towards stronger nature right in the centre of our village, Hapert. We are convinced that more nature and biodiversity create a healthier living environment.
Biodiversity keeps ecosystems balanced and healthy. But many insect species and small mammals are struggling, mainly because there is little room left for them in built-up areas. That is exactly where our opportunity lies: by working together to give nature a place in the village, the boundaries between nature and buildings fade. More greenery, more room for (small) animals. Together, our gardens can form a nature park.
Villages and towns already have a wide variety of planting, and we can build on that. With more native plants and additional nesting and roosting places, insects and small animals can settle and breed in built-up areas. Green infrastructure such as parks, green corridors and green roofs restores habitats, strengthens biodiversity and makes the village a more pleasant place to live.
We also want to contribute to a different view of nature. We often think nature belongs in places where no people live. But people are almost everywhere, so protecting and strengthening biodiversity within built-up areas is crucial. Nature-inclusive building and ecological green-space management are taking shape worldwide.
As the founders of Nature Park Hapert, we want to work together with residents, project by project, on nature development within our village centre.
Our vision: the centre of Hapert as one large nature park.