In The Green Forest, North Brabant, a permanent new forest is being created. In total, it covers 50 hectares. This forest area will always remain nature. On October 29, this was celebrated festively. This took place on land owned by Stichting ARK Rewilding (ARK) along the Dommel river in Sint-Oedenrode. Various organizations came together there. Deputy Hagar Roijackers, ARK director Esther Blom, notary Pauline Wedemeijer, and Jan Fenten from Staatsbosbeheer symbolically planted 3 native trees: the fluttering elm, hornbeam, and summer lime.
Stichting ARK will create 50 hectares of forest in The Green Forest. The new forest connects to the existing landscape. The province supports this with the forest compensation subsidy. Applications have already been made for 200 hectares of forest in the past year. Vressel, a small area in Sint-Oedenrode that ARK has owned for 2 years, is the first part. The first trees are planted here. The rest of the forest will grow naturally later on.
More trees and healthier forests
The province wants more trees and forests in Brabant. Existing forests also need to become healthier. This is stated in the Brabant Tree Action Plan. With subsidy from the province, the forest compensation scheme, it is now possible to create new forest outside the Nature Network Brabant. From February 16, 2026, this subsidy can be applied for in a new round.
Collaboration is important
Healthy forests are important for our health, the climate, and our living environment, among many other things. They also help people to live well, now and in the future. Forests thus contribute to broad prosperity.
Nature forest also for future owners
According to ARK director Esther Blom, it is also important that nature is permanently protected. Therefore, on every piece of forest that ARK plants, a fixed agreement is made. This agreement is called a qualitative obligation. This obligation ensures that the forest always remains nature, even if the land gets a different owner in the future.
