The story of nature in the

National Park Zuid-Kennemerland National Park Zuid-Kennemerland

National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is located in the heart of the metropolitan area, between IJmuiden, and What is a . The location and beauty of this 3800 acres large reserve attracts National Park? many people every year who enjoy hiking, cycling, horse riding and swimming.

National Parks have been set up worldwide to protect large areas that are important to nature or wildlife. In the Netherlands there are The National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is composed of young calca- 20 of these areas that have been designated as National Parks. Each reous dunes, wide beaches and lush coastal forests as well as rem- one of these represents a unique feature of the country, where spe- nants of cultural history like farms, seaside villages and bunkers. cial flora and fauna of (inter)national interest can be found. In total Differences in soil, elevation, climate and groundwater levels in these parks cover an area of approximately 130 000 acres, more than dunes provide diverse living conditions for both flora and fauna 3% of the Netherlands. The main concern is the management of alike. While the elements, sand, rain and wind only serve to rein- natural resources; however the National Parks also focus on recrea- force the biological dynamics of the area. tion, communication, education and research. 2 3 wind), located in the extension of the trench- many species of flora and fauna. To counter Dynamic Management es, have been stripped of their vegetation and this some dunes have been cleared to enable roots. This has recreated a unique feature of them to shift again. This brings nutrient-rich traditional dune landscapes. The most south- calcareous sand to the surface and the The management of natural resources in the National Park The Kennemer-beach is just one of the will find shore bindweed and sea holly; plants ern trench has been opened for public and process creates new dunes where typical Zuid-Kennemerland focuses on the preservation of natural remarkable spots in the north-west area of that prefer the salty sea wind. can be reached from the Parnassia parking species of plants and wildlife can re-establish the National Park; where fresh water from area. There are also special excursions for this themselves. The removal of the top-layer of values and initiating natural processes. This intervention under the dunes surfaces. Giving space to nature project, called “The Northwest natural core”. old dunes by park-managers thus sets in is essential in providing a diverse landscape and the Along the first row of dunes five trenches have motion a natural process which enriches the Here you will find rare plants unique to been dug to give the wind access to the dunes Shifting Dunes park and increases bio-diversity while flourishing of flora and fauna. dunes such as parnassus, yellow wort and behind it again. Furthermore five parabolic Densely vegetated, stagnant dunes acidify shaping the dunes themselves, this process orchids. On the dryer, more open areas you dunes (dunes facing the direction of the and age which leads to the disappearance of is of course closely monitored.

4 5 Grassland Encroachment

Industry, intensive agriculture and traffic closed part of the National Park. These cause acid rain. This precipitation dissolves grazers eat grasses and hard dune reeds as the calcium contained in the soil which well as the vegetation on shrubs and trees accelerates decalcification and increases and they trample vegetation, the combined acidity of the dunes. Due to this effect of this frees the dunes to shift. The characteristic dune plants such as the burnet large grazers are aided by small herbivores rose are under threat of disappearing, such as rabbits, roe deer and fallow deer in whereas the various grass species seemingly keeping the dune landscape clear. This flourish. The drying out of the soil as well as provides much-needed space for a low rabbit population, caused by diseases, characteristic flora such as dune pansies, has further exacerbated this situation and thyme and blueweed. has led to an ever increasing amount of grassland. Wisents in Kraansvlak More information about wisents can be The encroachment of grasslands is found at www.wisenten.nl. threatening the (bio-) diversity of the landscape so to counter this a number of large grazers have been introduced: cattle, horses and ponies graze in large areas of the National Park. In 2007 wisents (a relative of the cow) were introduced to Kraansvlak, a

6 7 Humid Dune Slacks

Dune sand naturally contains a large amount of fresh water. This water has made for excellent drinking water and over the centuries large amounts have been won for consumption.This has led to the drying out of dune grassland and the disappearance of dune slacks. However in 2003 these activities were ceased allowing the groundwater-bubble to grow again. In turn the soil in various areas has become increasingly humid and areas like the ‘Zuidervlak’ are once again submerged during wet winters. This effect, combined with other measures like the removal of vegetation and the introduction of grazers has resulted in a variety of special fauna, such as centaury, parnassus and felwort flourishing in the humid dune slacks.

8 9 Connections Ecoduct Zandpoort has been made possible by:

Since 2013 ecoduct Zandpoort connects National Park Zuid-Kennemerland with the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes.

Thanks to this ecoduct animals and plants, Zeeweg in and across the like dune rose, roe, weasel, sand lizard, railway between Zandvoort and Haarlem. natter jack and several butterfly species, With these three bridges a continuous dune have a larger habitat and increased will emerge of more than 7000 acres. Space possibilities to reproduce and distribute. aplenty for plant and animal alike! The ecoduct also connects different types of landscapes. An important goal is enlarging the areas of this type of dunes and to improve its quality. Ecoduct Zandpoort is also accessible for cyclists, horse riders, walkers and wheelchairs so that everyone can enjoy this beautiful, unique piece of nature.

At this moment preparations are being made for two additional ecoducts across the

10 11 Man in the landscape: Inner Dune Belt and Estates In the 17th century many wealthy merchants wanted a place outside of the city for the hot cultural history summer months. A number of them established estates on the inner dune belt. The characteristic buildings and style of the gardens and horticulture are part of a National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is an extremely interes- precious cultural-historic heritage. ting and valuable area from a cultural-historical point of One of the most beautiful and best preserved estates is Elswout. The old view. People have been living in the dunes for centuries majestic trees provide a home to the many and have used nature to their benefit in a variety of ways. tree dwelling birds and the old ice cellar houses a number of bats. In the spring many Valuable discoveries have been made during archaeologi- stinsen plants can be found growing in the cal digs, such as the remains of a Frisian farm dating back fields and in autumn a large number of mushrooms can be found beneath the trees. more than 2000 years. A number of centuries-old estates - Caprera, Elswout and Koningshof - are also established there; each with their own unique history. Tip: The Elswout Orangery is open from 10:30 until 15:30 every Sunday.

12 13 Seaside Villages and the landscape

Between 1500 and 1900 the landscape in the land. These strips were dug out to ground- dunes was dramatically changed by man. water level, while the rest of the dunes lost Around the many seaside villages the land their agricultural nature. Many of these small was used for agricultural purposes among allotments can still be seen along the which the holding of cattle and vegetable- ‘Duinpieperpad’, on the eastern side of cultivation were most common. The result of Zandvoort. Some of these are still in use; for agricultural exploitation was the degradation traditional potato-growing. of the dunes which were already low in nutrients and it exacerbated the stagnation and erosion of the dunes. The lack of nutrients also led to an increase of herbal vegetation however and this unique vegetation is now considered one of the Tip: most valuable aspects of the Dutch dunes. Arrangements can be made in the After 1900 this old tradition changed, the Visitor Centre for a GPS cultural history dunes were no longer used for agricultural walk; ‘Traces of Mankind in the Dunes’. purposes as villagers started maintaining vegetable gardens on concentrated strips of

14 15 Traces of the Second World War

A number of bunkers can be found in the revealed. The human remains of 422 people National Park Zuid-Kennemerland which were found in 45 mass graves at six different was part of the 2,685 kilometre long locations. 347 of the victims were reburied at Atlantikwall. This was a line of defences built the Bloemendaal Remembrance Cemetery by the Germans designed to prevent an including the famous resistance fighter allied invasion of Europe, it ran from Norway . through Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium on to France and up to the Spanish border. This defensive-line, which was never fully completed, consisted of bunkers, cannons and minefields.

Remembrance Cemetery It was already common knowledge during the war that the Nazis were executing TIP: members of the resistance in the dunes For more information: without any form of trial. During the summer www.eerebegraafplaatsbloemendaal.eu. of 1945 the full extent of this practice was

16 17 National Park Zuid-Kennemerland: the organisation

The provincial water authorities, the Society for Conserva- The Consultation Group is the executive tion of Natural Monuments, the Forestry Commission, the organ of the National Park. The group comprises the various representatives of municipalities of , Bloemendaal, Haarlem and Zand- landowners and of organisations involved in voort, the Society for Nature and Environment Education the National Park. The Consultation Group has an independent chairman while the - IVN, the Province of and various private secretariat of the Consultation Group is land owners are all working closely with the National Park housed at the Province of Noord-Holland. Any meetings of the Consultation Group are Zuid-Kennemerland. This cooperation allows the park to be prepared and supported by an Advisory managed as one single area. Committee.

All meetings of the Consultation Group are open to the public. See www.np-zuidkennemerland.nl for GEMEENTE data and location. VELSEN

18 19 tour with a guide and finish the day with a Visitors are welcome! complete buffet.

Access to the National Park Attractive hiking, cycling and horse riding paths are available throughout the entire nati- The National Park is open for public between sunrise and sunset. Entrance is free except the onal park. Remote spots can be reached by a number of narrower pathways. Some areas entrance ‘Caprera’. of the park are reserved for animals to rest. This finely tuned ‘zoning’ enables visitors to Excursions and activities enjoy the pleasures of nature without disturbing the natural habitat of the plants and You can find all excursions and activities in the animals. National Park at www.np-zuidkennemerland.nl. Here you can also book an excursion.

Visitors Centre “De Kennemerduinen” Opening hours Visitors Centre: You’re welcome from Tuesday till Sunday from Parking Secretariat You can reach us via For information about the area you can visit Tuesday – Sunday 10.00 - 17.00. 10.00 o’clock. T: 023-5256822 Koevlak, Parnassia and Bleek & Berg are paid Provincie Noord-Holland, Ceylonpoort 5, 2037 [email protected] or Visitors Centre “De Kennemerduinen”. The Closed on Monday (except for fall-, Christmas- parking areas. All the other parking areas are AA Haarlem. T: 023 514 31 43. through the Visiting Centre. shop has much to offer including hiking- and and spring-holidays in February). Meetings free. cycling maps. Entrance is free. You can find vi- T: 023 5411123 The visitor centre contains two rooms that Communication and Education sitors centre “De Kennemerduinen” at Zee- E: [email protected] can be reserved for meetings, company par- Dogs IVN; Institute for Nature-education and weg 12 in Overveen, nearby the ‘Koevlak’ par- ties or regular parties. The location is beauti- At some places dogs are not allowed. Sustainability is responsible for all the com- king area. Duincafé ful, nearby dune-lake ‘t Wed, and invites to ex- You can find an overview at munication and education of South Kenne- After a long walk you can enjoy a cup of cof- tend your stay. www.np-zuidkennemerland.nl. merland National Park. fee, a pastry or a fine lunch at the Duincafé. Tip: expand your stay with a walk or cycling

20 21 Come visit us at National Park Zuid-Kennemerland

A variety of catering and recreation companies in and around the park are official National Park Zuid-Kennemerland hosts. These can provide information about any activities and special arrangements in this area.

Official hosts are: • Restaurant De Uitkijk (Bloemendaal) • Duincafé De Karmeliet (Overveen) • VVV Zandvoort • Droompark Buitenhuizen (Velsen-Zuid) • Camping de Duindoorn (IJmuiden aan Zee) • Fa Ekogron (Santpoort-Zuid) • Strandpaviljoen Beach Inn (IJmuiden aan • Hoeve Duin & Kruidberg (Santpoort-Noord) Zee) • Kraantje Lek (Overveen) • Goesting Events BV () • Kuuna uitjes (Zandvoort) • Plattelandscafé de Doofpot (De Zilk) View and reserve excursions at • Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg (Santpoort- • Camping de Branding (Zandvoort) www.np-zuidkennemerland.nl. National Parks in the Netherlands Noord) • Go Sport & Play (Zandvoort) Follow us on Twitter: @npzk Information about all twenty Dutch • Manege Kennemergaarde (Santpoort- Become our friend on Facebook: National Parks can be found at Noord) Certified hosts can be www.facebook.com/ www.nationaalpark.nl • Manege Rückert (Zandvoort) recognised by the sign on nationaalparkzuidkennemerland • Recreatieschap Spaarnwoude the gable.

22 Colofon

Publication: Walter Oosterom Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland Coen van Oosterom Geert Overmars Text and image editors: Tessa Schepers IVN Noord-Holland Reina de Smeth Tineke Hoogeboom Jowien van der Vegte Reina de Smeth W.J. Visser Corine Emmelkamp Evert-Jan Woudsma Jasmine Hakkert Design: Photo's: Frank de Wit Co Harkmans Tineke Hoogeboom Circulation: 3000 Ruud Maaskant Onno van Middelkoop Publication: 2014