On Thursday, June 18, Hans Haerkens was appointed as chairman of the Samenwerkingsverband Nationale Parken (SNP) foundation, the consultation body of the Dutch national parks and the government, landowners, land managers, and nature organizations. Hans is also chairman of the National Parks Drents-Friese Wold & Dwingelderveld. At SNP, he takes over the role of chairman from Gijs de Kruif, who started working as a deputy in the province of Utrecht this spring.
Hans Haerkens: 'With all the spatial claims within the delta Netherlands, it is more than important to take landscape and nature seriously. The rural area will be under scrutiny in the coming period. National Parks and its partners can especially create synergy between landscape, economy, cultural history, and nature on a regional scale.'
Annette Baerveldt joined the Executive Board of SNP on the same date. Annette also serves as the chairwoman of the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park Consultative Body. Board member Georgette Leltz, who will enjoy her retirement, was bid farewell.