We Preserve the Wadden Together

Deputy Anouk Gielen opens the evening. Together with the organizing parties, she advocates for the establishment of a structural coastal fund for the Wadden area by the national and regional governments. “The Wadden is one of the most unique natural areas. The Wadden Sea, the birds, the nature. But it is also economically and touristically important.”

The Wadden area is more than 5 islands

The Wadden area is larger than just our well-known and cherished islands. “The coastal area along the mainland by the Wadden Sea is also included. The area spans 3 provinces, 4 water boards, 14 municipalities, Germany, and Denmark. So it is much more than 5 islands. The tides make the area unique, and the entire nature is therefore unique. On the islands, they have long known how to relate to nature. But it also needs to be protected.” Since 2006, the Wadden Fund has existed, and since 2012 it has been managed by the provinces of North Holland, Friesland, and Groningen. Over the past 20 years, the Wadden Fund has contributed to the preservation, management, and strengthening of the Wadden area. Gielen: “We have invested a lot in nature. For example, much has been done for birds. New nature has been created by designating areas on various islands and along dikes on the mainland as breeding or foraging areas for birds. The fund helps both nature and the economy and community.”

Continuing to invest in the future of the Wadden area

The Wadden Fund shows that nature, economy, and livability can be improved well together. This is the lesson we as governments must take towards the future. Investing in the Wadden area is necessary and pays off. In this context, the region also jointly expresses the desire for a structural coastal fund for the Wadden area by the national and regional governments. “We must continue to invest in our Wadden area together with other governments. Much has been achieved, but the challenges are not yet finished. Keeping the islands livable is something that continues to require attention; it does not stop suddenly when the fund ends. For example, there are plans to have ferry services run fully electrically. Good for nature, but a challenge considering grid congestion. We must designate everything as vital infrastructure so that network operators can invest faster. This is best achieved by continuing to work together and making funds available together.”

Results and cooperation in the region

The current Wadden Fund has already delivered a number of beautiful results. Gielen lists: “The fish migration river through the Afsluitdijk Opens an external link is groundbreaking. The European eel will soon be able to swim from the saltwater sea through the Afsluitdijk to the freshwater Rhine system, and even all the way to the Swiss Alps. Or an example of something that would never have succeeded without the fund. A 17th-century manor house on Texel is being fully restored by a private individual. This way, the past and the future are not lost. Thanks to the Wadden Fund, things happen that otherwise would not get off the ground. A beautiful combination of recreation and nature is the Ziltepad Opens an external link. A walking path along the Wadden coast. The path starts in Stroe, North Holland, and runs along the coast via Friesland to Groningen. Overnight accommodations can be booked along the way. The path was created thanks to the Wadden Fund.”

The walking path is a physical connection of the region. But cooperation has also improved greatly administratively in recent years. “As a province, we work more often with the provinces in the Randstad because we border them. We do not often work with Friesland and Groningen, but in this, we have become very connected. We are also equal and all lie along this natural area. Cooperation with the islands and coastal municipalities is also important, and we are increasingly working together as an entire region. Outside these 3 provinces, everyone in the Netherlands knows the Wadden. Many have been there and enjoyed the nature and recreational opportunities. It would be a shame if this were lost. Let us therefore stand together to appreciate all the beauty in the Wadden area and continue working together to protect and keep this beautiful area livable for the future.”