Riding, riding, riding on the bus. We started out early again, driving across the Houtribdijk separating the Markermeer from the Ijselmeer. Arriving in Lelystad we were met by Ellen Marcuse and Jan Frans de Hartog, planners from the Flevoland Province. We toured the Almere Pampus area all morning in the drizzly rain, stopping at agricultural areas, newly constructed neighborhoods and Europe’s largest water pumping station at the edge of the polder.
We ran with glee to the base of the giant turbines spinning in the sky, Don Quixotes all. This wet corner of Flevoland, open to all possibilities urban and natural left us pondering our own designs for the site and the futures that may be.
In Lelystad again, we met Dirk Frieling and spent some time viewing an exhibit on the many plans for Almere. Dirk gave us personal insights into the many “discussions” underway in the public realm that may some day result in consensus - Dutch style. We were joined by students from Wagenin University who are currently working on their own expansion plans.
The highlight of the day was our Dutch safari. Met at the park by Frans Vera, eminent ecologist, author of Wilderness in Europe and steward of the Oostvaardenplassen, we hopped aboard a modern caravan of sorts and rode through the reserve. A cinematic panorama of nature unfolded before us. Feral heards of Heck cattle, Konik horse, red deer and wild fox ambled by undisturbed at the site of our damp but enchanted crew. Frans lectured us on the natural practices of culling, the introduction of native species and the many philosophical debates surrounding the difficulties of re-wilding. Many, many thanks to Frans for giving us access to the park and providing us with one of the most thoughtful tours of our stay.
Thanks as well to Andrea van Berg, senior advisor to Flevoland Province and biologist for meeting with us at the end of the day. We discussed the Netherlands efforts at conservation banking in and around the Oosvardenplassen and ongoing plans by the EU to ensure habitat preservation across member states.
Tomorrow is free exploration day in Amsterdam with optional trips to Rotterdam. No more coercive tours. We will party tomorrow night at Tracy Metz’s Sense of Place in Amsterdam and reflect on this rich journey to The Netherlands.
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