Implementation of an important part of the Boschplaat vision has been awarded to Van den Herik-Sliedrecht in collaboration with Witteveen+Bos. The hydraulic contractor is carrying out a series of unique nature restoration measures to restore the dynamics on Boschplaat, the Natura2000 area with a European nature management certificate on the east side of Terschelling.

The award of the execution to Van den Herik is an important milestone in the Boschplaat program. In this program, Staatsbosbeheer, Rijkswaterstaat, the municipality of Terschelling and the province of Fryslân work together to restore and strengthen Boschplaat. The Wadden Academy fulfills an expert role in the program.

Nature reserve of world importance
De Boschplaat is a European nature reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Dark Sky Park. It is an important habitat for many special animal and plant species such as spoonbills, eider ducks, sea lavender and glasswort. But Boschplaat is under pressure. The construction of a shifting dike in the 1930s brought the natural dynamics of sand, sea and wind in the area to a halt.

As a result, Boschplaat is becoming more “monotonous”: the overgrowth and growth of reeds, creeping willow and seaweed are increasing. At the same time, biodiversity is decreasing. Without the dynamic processes of shifting sand and alluviation, Boschplaat will not grow along with sea level rise. This threatens to drown Boschplaat.

In 2018, in close consultation with islanders, the collaborating parties drew up the Boschplaat Vision: a rescue plan for Boschplaat. The measures in the vision should make the area future- and climate-proof again. There are four program lines. Van den Herik will execute the program line ‘Dynamism in the Zeereep’, which revolves around creating several passages in the Stuifdijk. Jan Huijbers, director of Van den Herik, is looking forward to getting to work on Terschelling: ” Working for and especially with nature gives us energy. As Van den Herik, we are happy to contribute to making this unique nature reserve more future- and climate-proof. ”

Notches and washover
Program manager Jori Wolf: “In the drift dike there will be two clusters of notches and one wide passage, the so-called washover. Through these passages wind, water and sand can reach the salt marsh behind. Boschplaat needs this dynamic to become more biodiverse and climate-robust. After these one-time interventions, nature can take over. We give the natural processes a push and space. The effects of the interventions will be monitored so that adjustments can be made if necessary.”

Planning
A period of preparations will precede the implementation of the measures. Project leader Mark van den Anker: ” In the coming period we will work with Van den Herik and Witteveen+Bos to further develop the implementation design. This includes involving the sounding board group with islanders, so that we make good use of local knowledge of Boschplaat. After the summer and at the end of 2026, we will share the results of our preparations. We will also apply for the necessary permits. We expect to start work on Boschplaat after the 2027 breeding season. .”