The Nature Management Plan is updated several times a year. This ensures the plan aligns with the current situation in our nature areas and incorporates new insights from policy and the field. The plan outlines where we want to establish nature networks, which nature we want to protect, and how we do this together with land managers, farmers, and other partners. In November 2025, the Province of North Brabant implemented several changes. Read about what has changed.

What is the Nature Management Plan?

The Nature Management Plan determines which nature exists in Brabant, which nature we want to develop, and the management that goes with it. The plan includes, among other things:

  • where nature reserves are located
  • what the current nature type is and which type we aim for
  • which areas qualify for nature management or development
  • which subsidies are possible

The plan clarifies the ambitions of the province and helps partners make plans for nature management and forms the basis for applying for subsidies.

What has changed?

Every year in November, two maps of the Nature Management Plan are updated: the ambition type map and the management type map. The ambition map shows the nature we would like to have in the future. The ambition may differ from what is currently present outside. The management type map shows the nature that currently exists. It forms the basis for the SNL management subsidy for maintaining this nature.
These map updates are important for landowners, nature managers, and agricultural collectives. They use the plan for management plans and subsidy applications. Curious if something has changed for you? Or curious about your possibilities? Visit brabant.nl/natuurbeheerplan or the viewer of the Nature Management Plan.

Change in nature type

In November, nearly 900 hectares were converted to a higher nature type. For example, herb- and fauna-rich grasslands to moist heathland, moist hayland, or forest. Nearly 50 hectares were downgraded in nature type. There are different types of nature; one is easier to realize but does not tolerate extreme weather well. Another is harder to realize but is much better for biodiversity (The variety of life in a particular area). We have linked different values to the different nature types. The higher the value, the better the nature withstands stress, the better it is for biodiversity, and the better it performs under extreme weather conditions. Often, this nature is also harder to realize and more intensive to manage. The provinces goal is to increase higher nature types in Brabant so that nature is future-proof.

Change in natures purpose

Sometimes the purpose of nature in an area changes. This happens, for example, with production forests, which exist to produce wood. These forests are restored to better withstand drought and heat. After this restoration, these forests are indicated as natural forests on the Nature Management Plan maps. Wood production is no longer a goal. This round concerns 580 hectares of forest. This helps make our nature stronger and fits with the Brabant forest strategy.

Annual changes

The Nature Management Plan is updated every year. This happens at two fixed moments in the year: in April and in November.

April

In April, the boundaries of the Nature Network Brabant are adjusted. Additionally, the ambition type map and the management type map are updated.

November

In November, an update is again made to the ambition type map and the management type map. The boundaries of the Nature Network are not changed in November.

This approach keeps the plan up to date. It also creates space to quickly incorporate new insights, monitoring, and experiences from partners. On brabant.nl/natuurbeheerplan you will find all maps, documents, and explanations.