Theme: Biodiversity
Every year on May 24, we celebrate National Park Day, a moment when the most characteristic nature areas of the Netherlands are in the spotlight. In 2025, we will focus on the theme of biodiversity around this day. We invite young and old to join rangers, guides, and other nature enthusiasts in discovering the species richness of our parks. What lives in the water, what grows in the ground, and which species fly in the air? All counts submitted via the ObsIdentify app or via waarneming.nl between Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 31, will be included in the National Parks. Join in and discover how rich nature is.
Take Action
This year, we are making an extra appeal to you. The government wants to cut 24 million euros from the National Parks – the most important nature areas in the Netherlands. These places are indispensable for education, health, connection, and a livable future. In the National Parks, as many as 6 million people learn, work, live, and enjoy nature. If this cut goes through, we will lose much more than just money. We will lose opportunities, knowledge, and nature experiences. Make your voice heard! Sign the petition now and save our National Parks:
https://petities.nl/petitions/red-onze-nationale-parken
Species Challenge in the National Parks
Between May 17 and May 31, we will search together for the plants and animals that live in our national parks. Be amazed by small details and striking appearances. Every species you see feels like a small discovery – a step closer to understanding the environment in which we live. During the ‘National Parks Species Challenge,’ you can join an excursion with a ranger or nature guide, or you can go out independently with a magnifying glass or binoculars.
Activities in the Parks
A selection of activities on and around National Park Day:
In National Park Oosterschelde, you can search for species or wander on Neeltje Jans under the guidance of ecologist Chiel Jacobusse. More information about these activities can be found here.
In the Hoge Veluwe National Park, the guide goes out on May 24 to count species, and you can join. More information about this excursion can be found here.
National Park Duinen van Texel organizes various bird excursions, which you can experience both on foot and by minibus. More information about these excursions can be found here.
In National Park De Biesbosch, you board the boat on May 24 for a 100-species boat trip with the ranger. More information about this trip can be found here.
In National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, a guide takes you into the wonderful world of creepy crawlies on May 24, from 10:30 to 12:00. Come along. For more information, visit this page. On Sunday, you can fish with a trawl net and discover what lives in the sea. You can register on this page.
National Park Drentsche AA organizes, among other things, a bicycle excursion and various activities around the visitor center, including an insect walk, workshop with excursion ObsIdentify, and a mega nature memory. For a complete overview, go to this page.
In National Park De Maasduinen, you can join a night moth excursion from 20:00 to 24:00. How fun is that? For more information, go to this website.
National Park De Groote Peel organizes various species excursions throughout the day. Will you join to search for birds, butterflies, and dragonflies? More information can be found on this page.
In National Park Nieuw Land, you can join an excursion with the eco-car in the Oostvaardersplassen or play Escape Route Nieuw Land in the Kotterbos near Almere. And there is more to do. All information can be found on this website.
National Park De Alde Feanen organizes a meadow bird excursion and a boat excursion past extensive reed fields, marsh forests, narrow peat pits, and a cormorant colony on May 24. More information about these and other activities can be found on this website.
The Northern National Parks: Schiermonnikoog, De Alde Feanen, Lauwersmeer, Drentsche Aa, Dwingelderveld, Drent-Friese Wold offer a varied range of activities on and around May 24. All information is bundled on this page.
In National Park Veluwezoom on May 24, you can participate in the Wildtocht Buitenplaats Beekhuizen Veluwezoom. Perhaps, in the evening twilight, you might spot
a red or fallow deer, wild boar, or roe deer. Register via this page.
Kalmthoutse Heide Border Park organizes an Experience Week around species richness from May 19 to 25 together with various educational partners. For a wide range of activities for young and old, visit this page.
Counting for the Biodiversity of Tomorrow
The Day of the National Park is not only about a fun experience but also about valuable action. By counting species in all parks, you discover that there are countless species, each playing their own role. The more we know about these species in the National Parks, the more our appreciation grows, and the better we can protect them. There is so much to be proud of and to cherish.
