The

Polder A polder () is a low-lying tract of land that forms an artificial hydrological entity, enclosed by embankments known as dikes. The three types of polder are: # Land reclaimed from a body of water, such as a lake or the seabed # Flood plains ...

oasis Nekkeveld estate is an area located in the urban heart of Holland,

the Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

, near

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...

, and is part of the hamlet

Nekkeveld Nekkeveld is a hamlet in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of Nijkerk, and lies about 8 km north of Amersfoort.''ANWB Topografische Atlas Nederland'', Topografische Dienst and ANWB, 2005. Nekkeveld is not a s ...

. This green oasis is situated in the delta of the Dutch Randstad, at the foot of the former

Zuiderzee The Zuiderzee or Zuider Zee (; old spelling ''Zuyderzee'' or ''Zuyder Zee'') was a shallow bay of the North Sea in the northwest of the Netherlands, extending about 100 km (60 miles) inland and at most 50 km (30 miles) wide, with an ov ...

dyke and near the drowned Castle Hulkestein, now lake Nijkerkernauw. The natural status of the area is protected for its flora and fauna (water and meadow birds) by regional and European law:

Natura 2000 Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas designated under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, respecti ...

. The notability of Nekkeveld estate in this respect is acknowledged by the independent governmental waterboard ''Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe'', stating this "(...) improves ecosystems for water animals and meadow birds". Also, the governmental institution Staatsbosbeheer (Dutch Forestry Commission) specifically notified the project for its breeding results with the godwit, Holland's national bird. ''God created the world, and the Dutch created: Holland (English saying).'' Landkaart gras nekkeveld

Started in the late 20th century as the project NekkeveldEcoplus, in the first quarter of the 21st century the total area is about 150.000 square meters. The conserved old farm originates from

medieval times In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

. The area called 'green paradise' for living and creative purposes was built in 2009–architecture by Henk Leeflang, whose design has been praised for its natural match with the polder landscape. Solar energy devices were added in 2013, making the project energy independent. Also the supply of drinking water has its own natural source. The built user area is approximately 3000 cubic meters. The State Secretary for Economic Affairs and the Minister of Finance officially (July 6, 2016) allowed polder oasis Nekkeveld estate the governmental recognition of classification by law according to the Dutch Natuurschoonwet 1928. The estate is a member of the Dutch Federation for Private Landownership. Luchtfoto nekkeveld

Mixed Greylag & Canada Goose flock, Netherlands

Founding father Sir Douwe Veldhuizen – van de Geest who now is in his sixties, is keen on stepping back in order to make space and inspire younger talent. His part of the story is told in an online available book: ''Polder oasis Nekkeveld estate–endless stories of creation and development''. Godwit birds

'Polder poem: The godwits are back' ''Grey and wet it still is'' ''But the lapwing birds are calling, they tumble and fly'' ''And despite rainy depressions'' ''Also the godwit is heard'' ''They make love'' ''Lapwing birds tumble'' ''And the hares dance'' ^{''(by: Douwe Veldhuizen)''} ^{Placed with consent of the poet.}

Inspiration

The projec
NekkeveldEcoplus
is inspired by the work of the Dutch artist Marinus Adrianus Koekkoek

References

{{coord missing, Netherlands Landforms of North Holland Oases