'We exist because of nature, not the other way around'

Plea for new green policy centered on biodiversity

Peter Bulsing, author of "Public Green Space: Responsible Ecological Management," is a passionate advocate for ecological green space management. In his latest book, he shares his concerns and solutions for the conservation of Dutch nature, not shying away from putting his finger on the sore spot. Bulsing emphasizes that the preservation of green space plays a fundamental role in the well-being of people and animals, and that the current approach to green space management is inadequate in most municipalities.

"We exist thanks to nature, not the other way around," Bulsing says emphatically. He expresses his frustration with the way green management in the Netherlands is outsourced and often carried out by companies without ecological knowledge. He argues that this leads to ecological poverty and a reduction in biodiversity. Bulsing points out that green workers used to have a personal connection to their work and knew exactly which plants grew where and how to maintain them. In his view, this knowledge and commitment have been lost due to budget cuts and outsourcing to commercial parties.

Mowing policy

Bulsing's book provides a detailed discussion of Dutch nature and its vulnerabilities. He explains that invertebrates, such as insects, play a crucial role in the ecosystem, and that current mowing policies have a huge impact on these species. "Current mowing policies are causing entire populations to disappear, and without those animals, which are the vertebrates' livelihood base, the whole food web collapses," Bulsing said. He stresses that mowing roadsides and parks must be better tailored to the life cycles of these small but essential animals.

Bulsing goes on to discuss the issues surrounding the management of public green spaces. He explains that many municipalities and implementing companies focus primarily on aesthetics and convenience, without considering the ecological value of these areas. "Public green space is often seen as something that needs to look neat and tidy, when in fact it can provide essential habitat for countless species," he says. He argues that current policies often focus on short-sighted solutions, such as frequent mowing of roadsides to maintain a "manicured" appearance, when this has disastrous effects on biodiversity.

Ecological infrastructure

An important aspect that Bulsing emphasizes is the concept of ecological infrastructure. He explains that connecting green areas is critical for species conservation. "Small, isolated patches of nature are vulnerable and do not provide sufficient habitat for many species. It is important to connect these areas so that animals and plants can move and spread," Bulsing said. For the large animal species, ecoducts are already doing that. Now for the invertebrates. Of the invertebrates, only adult insects are winged after their metamorphosis (called imago). As larvae or nymphs, the longest stage in the development of an insect, they are not, making their radius of action very small. This must be very much taken into account in these compounds.

Solutions

In addition to criticism, Bulsing also offers hopeful solutions. He advocates more and better communication with citizens and education, so that people become more aware of the importance of greenery in their immediate environment. He cites the example of local residents who, under expert guidance, volunteer to help maintain local natural areas, but notes that this is not enough. "Volunteering is wonderful, but it should be professionally supported. We cannot depend on a handful of retired volunteers to protect the ecological value of our nature," he states. Bulsing sees an important role for municipalities to support civic initiatives with knowledge, resources and coordination. The enthusiastic Haarlemmer also discusses the importance of education, especially for younger generations. "If children learn from an early age about the value of nature, they will later be more inclined to protect it," he says. He advocates for more nature education in schools and collaboration with local green organizations to introduce children to nature. According to Bulsing, it is essential that children not only learn about nature in the classroom, but also become actively involved in nature projects, such as building butterfly gardens or managing a vegetable garden.

Stricter requirements

In addition, Bulsing discusses the role of government in encouraging ecological management. He believes that the government should be much more active in guiding sustainable policies and that stricter requirements should be placed on green management companies. "It should be mandatory that green management companies have sufficient ecological knowledge and apply this knowledge in practice," he states. He emphasizes that green management is not just about the appearance of parks and parks, but primarily about creating a healthy living environment for people and animals.

Bulsing cites the return of the wolf to the Netherlands as a positive example of recovery. This, he says, proves that changes in policy can actually produce results. "There is room for optimism," he says, "but then we have to act now. Not wait for global agreements, but start ecological recovery ourselves locally. The return of the wolf shows that nature can be resilient if we give it a chance. It is a signal that even in a densely populated country like the Netherlands, recovery is possible, provided sufficient space and protection is provided."

Successful choices

In his book, Bulsing also refers to international examples of successful ecological management. He cites projects in Germany and the United Kingdom, where cities have made conscious choices to increase biodiversity by creating wildflower meadows and reducing pesticide use, for example. "We can learn a lot from our neighbors," Bulsing says. "It is possible to design urban areas to contribute to biodiversity rather than undermine it."

Bulsing concludes with a strong appeal to policymakers, businesses and citizens. "We need to stop seeing green management as a cost and start seeing it as an investment in our future. In fact, ecological green management is actually cost-saving because, more importantly, you don't have to do things. Preserving biodiversity and creating a healthy environment - even for the tiniest living things - are important not only for animals and plants, but also for our own well-being," he says. He emphasizes that everyone can play a role, from municipal policy makers to residents who are landscaping their gardens in a more nature-friendly way. "Every little bit helps, but we have to start now." 

Title: Public green space: 
responsible ecological management
Author: Peter Bulsing
Publisher: KNNV Publishing
ISBN: 978-90-5011-962-7
1st printing: 2024
About the book: "Public green space: responsible ecological management" offers a comprehensive look at the role of public green space in the Netherlands and how it can be better managed. Bulsing not only discusses the problems, but also comes up with practical solutions and examples from home and abroad.