The area allocated for natural burials has been reduced in the Dankerberg nature development

Natuurmonumenten manages large parts of the Danikerberg in the Geleenbeek Valley and has an ambition to enhance and expand nature and recreational opportunities.

By cooperating with Natuurbegraven Nederland, Natuurmonumenten can take an important step in this regard. In November, a preliminary draft of the preliminary design for the desired landscaped development with space for natural burials in the vicinity was submitted. An evening of reflection was organized in December. Based on the inputs collected, it was decided to determine the natural burial space.

On January 25, a draft of the new design will be presented during the next information meeting to everyone who feels involved in Danikerberg. All information about the project can be found on a special website: www.danikerberg.nl.

Input from the immediate environment and user groups

In 2023, Natuurmonumenten and Natuurbegraven Nederland organized various meetings for local residents, tenants and leisure user groups. Many individual conversations were also held. A rough draft of the design was presented in November and December, and people were asked to contribute ideas about entertainment and zoning.

Natuurmonumenten and Natuurbegraven Nederland see it as a great thing to be involved in Danikerberg and appreciate it very much. Meetings and conversations show, among other things, that many people believe that the area in which a natural burial is possible is too large. In particular, the idea of ​​being buried in the woods, where much of the entertainment takes place, is not desirable. The inputs received help organizations come up with a good plan with the environment.

Reducing the natural burial space

During the next meeting on 25 January 2024, the inputs collected will be tested against the wider environment; Anyone who feels involved in Danikerberg. Natuurmonumenten and Natuurbegraven Nederland will then share a new design draft in which the wishes of the environment have been taken into account wherever possible. This means that the organizations focus on arable land and pastures for natural burials. In this designated area, burial takes place on a maximum area of ​​10% of the land. This means that there is no burial in a large part of Dankerberg, and the number of natural graves and annual burials is also decreasing.

The nature ambitions of the entire Danikerberg region remain. Reducing the space in which natural burials can take place means that some ambitions cannot be achieved as quickly or will have to be adjusted.

Meeting information and website

During the meeting on January 25, Natuurmonumenten and Natuurbegraven Nederland will of course collect new ideas, desires and interests from the environment through a draft of the new design. Organizations take all inputs seriously and include them in the further development of plans. The introductory meeting is divided into 3 rounds from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM. You can register until January 22 by sending an email to [email protected]to indicate your preferences for the first and second time.