Our management

Nature is given all the room she needs

At Natuurplaats Binnenbos we give natural processes all the room they need, with as little human intervention as possible. We listen to nature, allowing the ecosystem to develop itself, rather than us controlling it. The objective is to give the area the chance to restore and develop with more biodiversity and new types of crops, plants, trees and animals.

Continuous change, for us, is a given. Our style of management doesn’t focus exclusively on returning the landscape to the way it was, or keeping everything as it is today. Instead, we underscore the development of the ecosystem with initiatives such as a food forest and natural grazing. We demonstrate that ecologically fuelled agriculture can also be an effective business model. And that, given the space she needs, nature will create a surprising, diverse and harmonious landscape. In this way we intend to be a source of inspiration.

We listen to nature, allowing the ecosystem to develop itself, rather than us controlling it.

Food Forest

Of the land at our disposal, we are setting aside five hectares as a food forest, which we will create in the near future in collaboration with the Voedselbosbouw (Food Forestry Foundation). In addition to contributing to the ecosystem of Natuurplaats Binnenbos, it will also inspire a different form of agriculture.

A food forest is a forest with seven to nine layers of vegetation, where natural processes are left to their own devices as much as possible. Everything that grows in a forest you will find there: trees, shrubs, herbs and tubers and root crops, ground cover, climbing plants and fungi. As such, a food forest is much more than a forest with edible plant species. Food forests are designed, planted and managed as self-sufficient ecosystems from which, in the long term, food can be harvested all year round. Depending on the season, the harvest can vary from different types of fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables to roots, tubers, mushrooms, edible flowers and honey.

Natural Grazing

On a section of the land we stimulate rewilding by means of natural grazing. All year round we allow large grazing animals to roam the grassland and the forest. These animals then act as landscape architects, supporting the natural processes by enriching the soil and boosting biodiversity. Key departure points are the realisation of maximum self-reliance and social herding. And while we do not administer preventive medication to the animals, we do whatever is necessary to make them better in the event of illnesses or physical abnormalities. By maintaining the right number of animals, we can be sure that there is enough food for them all year round. And if we add to the herd, wherever possible we move some of the animals to another area for grazing.

Depending on the season, the harvest can vary from different types of fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables to roots, tubers, mushrooms, edible flowers and honey.