Rietsnijder De Dood: Nature hero in the heart of Weerribben-Wieden!

Rietsnijder De Dood: Nature hero in the heart of Weerribben-Wieden!

In the picturesque Weerribben-Wieden National Park, the largest contiguous fen in northwestern Europe, you can find countless natural treasures. There, in the buurtschap Nederland, Johan de Dood, a real Rietsnijder, cultivates his reeds. In the barn behind the farm, he ensures that the freshly harvested reeds dry on time. Everything to ensure the quality of the renovation of thatched roofs and to extend their lifespan rd.nl reported.

“For it to work properly, the reeds have to be dry first,” explains de Dood with a smile. Since he learned this craft from his father, a deep tradition has connected him to the region. And it's good business, because the reeds grow quickly here - up to 10 cm per day. Here nature creates a particularly large amount of CO2 and purifies the water at the same time. In fact, de Dood is convinced that some waters here are purer than drinking water.

Between tradition and innovation

When harvesting reeds, de Dood attaches great importance to protecting the nests of bird species that breed in this protected habitat. However, the massive upheavals in agriculture are not making things easy for him. With the leasing of 40 hectares of reed crops, 60% of which are on long-term leases, de Dood faces great uncertainty. The liberalized lease makes it more difficult to invest in the future.

“I hope that future generations will also have the opportunity to lease land on a long-term basis,” he says, looking at his son Joey, who is already showing an interest in reed cutting. Whether he will take over the business later is anyone's guess.

A framework for sustainable projects

The national park is not only a retreat for many endangered animal species, but also an example of innovative approaches to nature conservation. The Stichting National Park Weerribben-Wieden has made it its mission to connect different interests and promote common ambitions. The aim is to give space to new initiatives and to create a harmonious coexistence of nature, quality of life and economy.

While de Dood looks after the reeds, the foundation's partners - including Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten and local communities - strive to develop projects that improve the balance between people and nature. They do not take on any administrative tasks, which makes it easier to maintain the areas independently.

An Eldorado for nature lovers

The beauty of the region attracts numerous visitors. Over 300 kilometers of waterways run through the national park, which is also known for its idyllic waterfront villages such as Giethoorn, often referred to as the “Venice of the North”. The UNESCO World Heritage Site offers an incomparable natural environment with over 600 plant species and numerous protected animal species. In recent years, the number of bird species here has increased, making the area a birdwatcher's paradise.

Whether boat tours, canoeing, cycling or hiking – the activities here are diverse. If you want to enjoy the silence and beauty of the landscape, you can drift along the various routes, such as the 8 km long “Stille Kiersche Wijde” trail. Winter ice skating on the frozen waterways is also an experience in itself.

For a comprehensive stay, we recommend planning at least three days in order to enjoy the natural beauty and cultural offerings in peace. At the same time, we ask that you be considerate of the sensitive ecosystems. After all, the region is not only a place for relaxation, but also an example of successful nature conservation, as well netherlandenet.de determines.