The natural environment of Parklandschap Oranjewoud is an essential part of Oranjewoud Festival. As a festival organization, we are not only aware of the great added value of nature for our audience and creative makers but also of its vulnerability. In addition, the festival takes place in a period with many breeding birds.
Artistic director Yoram Ish-Hurwitz: "For some programs, nature provides a fairy-tale backdrop. What sets the festival apart, however, is the substantive role the landscape plays in a large number of compositions, performances and installations. A recurring theme here is the relationship between culture and nature in all its facets.'
Ecological monitoring
The festival comes about in close consultation with an independent ecological agency. Head of production Enno Feenstra: 'Being a guest in the nature of Parklandschap Oranjewoud obviously means much more than obeying the rules and regulations. Respect for nature and the landscape is paramount for us. This is why we have been working closely with the Forestry Commission and ecological research agency Grienkant for years. We recently started working together with MORV consultants, research agency for space and the environment.'
'Respect for nature and the landscape are paramount.' Enno Feenstra, head of production
'That agency closely monitors over a longer period of the year and, based on detailed (interim) research reports, indicates exactly what is or is not likely to cause disruption. This can differ for each festival edition. The recommendations are adopted in their entirety by the festival organization and, moreover, shared with the municipality and the province. This happens not only because of the storks that nest in the Overtuin, but also because of many other animal and plant species.'
Methodology
MORV Consultants conducts independent research according to applicable guidelines. For example, breeding bird monitoring takes place according to the manual of Sovon Vogelonderzoek Nederland and is checked against the literature. An official protocol is also used for bat monitoring in the festival area. The flora in the festival area will also be surveyed. Especially for a number of plant species rare in the Netherlands or in Friesland there is a duty of care. This leads to advice to avoid or cordon off certain vulnerable areas.
Further research
The annual results of the ecological survey are laid alongside the findings of other years in order to draw long-term conclusions and allow the festival to take place responsibly. An actual (retrospective) study of the impact of Oranjewoud Festival on nature in Oranjewoud is planned in the near future. The results will form the basis of the festival's future nature policy.
Oranjewoud Festival is a low-threshold, versatile and stimulating music festival in the fairytale parkland of Oranjewoud near Heerenveen (Friesland) | June 12 to 15, 2025
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