Approach to the Staphorst Forestry Area

In partnership with Staatsbosbeheer and the municipality of Staphorst, BLOC delivered a strategic plan for Staphorst Forestry and the Zwarte Dennen recreational area. This plan offers a sustainable approach to managing the area, focusing on maintaining recreational facilities and protecting nature.

A Valued Recreational Area Deserving Attention

Managed by Staatsbosbeheer, Staphorst Forestry is a significant 940-hectare nature reserve that hosts a diverse range of flora and fauna, including adders, badgers, and the endangered garlic toad. Within this area lies the Zwarte Dennen, a popular recreational site featuring a swimming pond, picnic areas, and walking trails. Despite the area’s importance for both conservation and recreation, Staatsbosbeheer faces a financial challenge. The current subsidy from the Nature and Landscape Subsidy Program (SNL) is only sufficient for nature management but does not cover the costs of maintaining recreational infrastructure such as paths, toilets, and parking facilities. Recreational pressure on the area is expected to increase with the planned construction of 2,000 new homes in the Staphorst municipality, further complicating the situation.

A Sustainable Solution for Nature and Recreation

Together, we explored ways to find a sustainable solution for the preservation and development of both nature and recreational facilities in Staphorst Forestry and the Zwarte Dennen. BLOC captured this in the strategic plan.

The solution’s core lies in a collaborative approach where Staatsbosbeheer and the municipality of Staphorst work more closely to manage recreational pressure on the area and protect its natural values. Staatsbosbeheer and the municipality of Staphorst are now developing a zoning plan to limit recreational activities in certain parts of the area, allowing other areas to recover and provide a sanctuary for nature.

There is also a need for structural funding for recreational facilities, with exploration into new operational models. For example, professionalising the kiosk and catering services could generate additional income and increase the area’s appeal to visitors. The plan includes improved collaboration with the Province of Overijssel, which allocates SNL funds, and exploration of additional funding sources, such as co-funding from housing or mobility budgets. This joint approach aims to create a future-proof plan where nature conservation and recreation go hand in hand.

Daarnaast is er behoefte aan structurele financiering voor de recreatieve voorzieningen, waarbij wordt gekeken naar nieuwe exploitatiemodellen. Een voorbeeld hiervan is de mogelijkheid om de kiosk en horeca te professionaliseren, wat niet alleen extra inkomsten kan genereren, maar ook de aantrekkelijkheid van het gebied voor bezoekers kan vergroten. Het plan omvat ook een verbeterde samenwerking met de Provincie Overijssel, die verantwoordelijk is voor het toewijzen van SNL-middelen, en het onderzoeken van aanvullende financieringsbronnen, zoals cofinanciering vanuit woningbouw- of mobiliteitsbudgetten. Deze gezamenlijke aanpak moet leiden tot een toekomstbestendig plan waarin natuurbehoud en recreatie hand in hand gaan.

The collaboration between Staatsbosbeheer and the municipality of Staphorst marks an important step in sustainably managing Staphorst Forestry and the Zwarte Dennen. Through an integrated approach that combines conservation and recreation, a harmonious balance is achieved, benefiting both people and nature.