Staatsbosbeheer, founded in 1899, is a Dutch government organization for

forestry Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests and woodlands for associated resources for human and Natural environment, environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and ...

and the management of

nature reserve A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geologic ...

s. Staatsbosbeheer currently oversees over 250,000

hectares The hectare (; SI symbol: ha) is a non-SI metric unit of area equal to a square with 100-metre sides (1 hm2), that is, square metres (), and is primarily used in the measurement of land. There are 100 hectares in one square kilometre. A ...

of land in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

. Usually this land is open to the public for recreational purposes, but restrictions often apply. Examples are the compulsory use of a leash when bringing a dog, or daytime access only. The organization has been criticized for not taking close enough care of its lands, or for interfering with political decisions, but news reports are generally positive or simply report public service announcements from the organization. Example:
De ruigpootuil broedt weer in Nederland
. (July 28, 2008). ''NOS''. Retrieved July 31, 2008. While the literal translation of the name would be 'State Forest Management', forests make up only 900 square kilometres of the total land under supervision. The remaining land consists of various landscapes, such as

dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...

polder A polder () is a low-lying tract of land that forms an artificial hydrology, hydrological entity, enclosed by embankments known as levee, dikes. The three types of polder are: # Land reclamation, Land reclaimed from a body of water, such as a ...

s and

wetland A wetland is a distinct semi-aquatic ecosystem whose groundcovers are flooded or saturated in water, either permanently, for years or decades, or only seasonally. Flooding results in oxygen-poor ( anoxic) processes taking place, especially ...

Chairpersons

Notable areas under supervision by Staatsbosbeheer

* Bargerveen * Berkheide * De Biesbosch * Donkse Laagten * Oostvaardersplassen * Strubben-Kniphorstbos * Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park * Wierickerschans

References

External links

* Environment of the Netherlands Organizations established in 1899 1899 establishments in the Netherlands Nature conservation organisations based in the Netherlands {{Netherlands-org-stub