Workshop Nature and Health during Nature-Inclusive Event

During the Nature Inclusive Manifestation 2025 in Den Bosch on December 10, the National Parks Bureau (NBP) will conduct a workshop on nature and health. Central to this workshop is the question of what role a national park can play in the development of attractive and health-promoting examples?

During the workshop, three national parks will showcase the role their national park plays concerning the theme of health. These are: Van Gogh National Park, National Park South Kennemerland, and National Park Dunes of Texel. You can read more information about the Nature Inclusive Manifestation 2025 here. 

Nature on Prescription

Van Gogh National Park focuses on young people and mental well-being. National Park South Kennemerland uses a neighborhood-oriented approach to promote vitality. This is done by linking health and well-being with nature. Programs like Healthy Nature Walking and Nature on Prescription are already running in this park. National Park Dunes of Texel also focuses on Nature on Prescription.

Reciprocity

The national parks collaborate with governments, welfare organizations, general practitioners, and colleges. These public-private partnerships connect nature and health. This increases society's involvement in nature. The result is more reciprocity: people experience the value of nature for their health and, therefore, also become more actively involved in its preservation.

Catalyst of Health

The driver of these collaborations is the delivery of the National Parks as a Catalyst for Health Guide earlier this year. Several national parks have since started applying the insights and recommendations from the guide. The goal is to establish collaborative forms in and around national parks at the intersection of nature and health. This has led to inspiring ideas and some pilot projects. With these pilots, national parks explore how they can actively contribute to promoting health and well-being.