Three-quarters of the Dutch population relate to ‘nature’ in some way or other, and are prepared to pay a bit more towards conserving it.

People want many things from nature and the landscape. They are ‘consumers’ of nature and landscapes: they visit conservation areas, natural countryside and rural landscapes for leisure and recreation, and they use nature-friendly products. People want to protect nature and they make an active contribution to the conservation and development of natural habitats as members of conservation organisations or as one of the many nature and landscape conservation volunteers. They are also keen to have an influence over what the authorities are doing and plan to do with nature.

More than 30% of the Dutch public say they take simple measures to help conserve nature, such as placing nest boxes and bird tables in their own gardens. (Photo: Roel Hoeve)

The Dutch public thinks that, besides government, the business community and individual citizens also have a responsibility for nature. They feel that businesses that damage nature or profit from it should pay towards conservation, and that ordinary citizens could also contribute more. Forty per cent of the Dutch population are even prepared to pay higher taxes for nature conservation.

A majority of the Dutch population thinks that not only government but also recreation businesses, developers and others should take responsibility for nature. (Source: De Bakker et al., 2007)