The new nature will provide animals and plants with a new habitat in the future.
Since the former shooting range of the police has not been in use for years, it has been purchased by the Province of North Holland. The area is being prepared for nature development.
The former shooting range is currently not suitable for plants and animals. The soil is being remediated due to contamination from chromium. The remnants of the shooting range will also be removed. The work will be carried out after the breeding season, in the autumn of 2025.
More Nature for Plants, Animals, and People
Space for nature at the former shooting range is important. It is located in the Natura 2000 area Kennemerland-Zuid. In Natura 2000 areas, special plant and animal species are protected. In the dunes between IJmuiden and Noordwijk, more than 50% of the species of plants and animals found in the Netherlands can be found.
The former shooting range also forms an important link in the Nature Network Netherlands (NNN). This network connects nature areas in North Holland and in the Netherlands. This gives plants and animals a better chance to spread and reproduce. This helps maintain the diversity of species. And that is not only positive for plants and animals, but also for people. More nature promotes a healthy and safe living environment; it helps against waterlogging, drought, and heat stress.
The province aims to develop the former shooting range into a landscape of open dunes. It forms the transition between the beach and the dune forest. The drinking water company and nature manager PWN will ultimately manage the nature reserve.