Nederland - Klarenbeek, Beekbergerwoud

Beekbergerwoud was once the last primeval forest in the Netherlands. For more than 8,000 years, trees grew luxuriantly here in the wet, marshy landscape. Until 1871, when the last tree was felled and the area was transformed into agricultural land with meadows and fields.

Natuurmonumenten - a Dutch society for Preservation of Nature Monuments - was able to purchase this area and has been working to restore nature since 2006. This has created a varied area with grasses, reeds, shrubs and trees. In recent years, the terrain has developed back into a marsh landscape. Due to the high water levels and the many pools and ponds, it is wet and marshy.

The changes in the landscape are clearly visible when you compare photos of the Beekbergerwoud today with those from 2010: www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/18593417.