More and Better Forest for Utrecht: Province Allocates 2 Million Again

The Province of Utrecht is allocating 2 million euros again for more and better forests. This helps capture CO2, increase biodiversity, and restore forests.

2 December 2025

in Nature

To realize the ambition for more and better forests, we as a province need the help of land and forest owners. In return for their cooperation, we provide funding through the Quality Impulse Nature and Landscape subsidy scheme (SKNL). For owners of agricultural land who voluntarily want to convert at least 1.5 hectares into forest, 1 million euros has been made available. An equal amount is available for owners who want to improve the quality of their existing forest. Both subsidies have been reopened for a year since October 15, 2025. The province hopes that private individuals with smaller pieces of land or forest will also apply for subsidies.

Planting new forest is necessary to capture CO₂ and increase biodiversity. Although new forest is being added, especially within the Dutch Nature Network (NNN), this is not happening fast enough. The province has therefore looked at which areas outside the NNN are suitable. These include estates with agricultural land or small private owners with several hectares of agricultural land. Suitable plots are shown on the map ‘Search area forest outside NNN’ in the Nature Management Plan. Owners can voluntarily convert their plots into nature and apply for the SNL subsidy. This reimburses costs for converting agricultural land into forest and establishing the forest. Any decrease in land value is also compensated.

Forest restoration is also needed

Besides more forest, we as a province want to restore the quality of existing forests. Many forest areas suffer from long periods of drought and excessive nitrogen. This especially applies to the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Acidification of the soil causes loss of nutrients and reduces tree resilience. This affects plants and animals. You can read more about this in the article “Forest on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug must come back to life”.

Counteracting acidic soil

Fortunately, forests can recover. Acidic soil can be counteracted by adding so-called ‘buffering substances’, such as shell grit. This contains a lot of lime that enriches the soil. Forest owners can apply for the SKNL subsidy for such measures. The forest plot must be within the Dutch Nature Network, see also map 6 in the Nature Management Plan.

Subsidy as an incentive

Mirjam Sterk, deputy for nature and agriculture, is pleased that a large amount of money is again available for forests: “Forests are important for our province. We enjoy them during a nice walk. But they also make a major contribution to biodiversity, help remove CO₂ from the air, and reduce emissions of other greenhouse gases. This way, trees and forests help us tackle climate change. As a province, we have been working for years to keep existing forests vital and to establish new forests.”

Help with subsidy application

“Land management organizations and estate owners know how to find our subsidies. We now especially hope to reach private individuals with smaller pieces of land or forest. And if applying for the subsidy is a hurdle, we are happy to help,” says Mark Brunsveld of the Province of Utrecht.