Dutch nature calls for caution: how your walk affects young wildlife this spring
Spring brings new life to Dutch nature, but human activity can disrupt vulnerable young animals. By staying on paths, leashing dogs, and keeping distance from banks, you can help protect wildlife during breeding season. Small changes make a big difference.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Breeding Season | Early spring to late spring, varying by species |
| Vulnerable Animals | Birds, roe deer, hares, foxes, badgers |
| Impact of Dogs | Scent trails from unleashed dogs cause stress, nest abandonment |
| Campaign Organizers | Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, LandschappenNL |
| Supporting Bodies | Provinces, nature organizations, recreation boards, tourism sector |
| Simple Actions | Stay on paths, leash dogs, avoid banks, sail calmly |
Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, and LandschappenNL are key Dutch nature management organizations responsible for protecting and preserving natural areas. Their role includes raising public awareness about sustainable interaction with wildlife, especially during critical periods like the breeding season.
Openrijk is free and ad-free
Do you value our work? Help us stay online with a small contribution.
external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Protect the young
It’s that time of year again: the breeding season has begun. During this period, many young animals are born in natural areas. These youngsters are vulnerable and need peace and space to grow up. Human behaviour, often unknowingly, disrupts this tranquillity.
With the call to Protect the young, nature organisations are asking walkers, cyclists, dog owners and people who sail or engage in water sports during the breeding season to be mindful and careful when interacting with nature and the animals that live there. Will you help too?
Peace during the breeding season
Taking animals into account during the breeding season means staying on the paths, keeping dogs on a leash, maintaining distance from banks and sailing calmly. This provides peace for birds, but also for mammals such as roe deer and hares. In this way, people who walk, cycle or sail in nature contribute to space for new life in Dutch nature. The breeding season is now! From early spring, many animals are looking for a mate, building nests, laying eggs and raising their young. Birds and wild animals are especially vulnerable and sensitive to disturbance during this period. Most bird species are breeding now. Some species start earlier, such as the grey heron and the tawny owl. Some species continue for longer, such as certain songbirds.
Keep your dog on a leash
For dog owners, a small adjustment can make a big difference. Forest ranger Otto de Kat of Natuurmonumenten says: “No matter how sweet or calm your dog is, a sniffing dog leaves scent trails that other animals perceive as a clear danger signal. This can cause animals to panic or avoid areas, even long after the dog has left.” The result is stress for birds and mammals such as roe deer, hares, foxes and badgers. Even if a dog does not catch an animal, the stress caused can lead to parents abandoning their nest or young not surviving. By keeping your dog on a leash, you help prevent this.
What can you do yourself to protect the young?
- Are you going for a walk in a natural area? Then stay on the marked paths.
- Are you swimming or sailing? Then stay away from the banks.
- Are you walking with your dog? Then keep your dog on a leash.
Protect the young campaign
The Protect the young campaign is an initiative by Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten and LandschappenNL, and is financially supported by Collectief Natuurinclusief and promoted by provinces, nature organisations, recreation boards, the tourism and recreation sector, user groups and other organisations.