Visitors to Ameland are looking for quiet, space and relaxation. We interpret sustainable and environmentally friendly recreation as activities that use no or little energy (no burning of fossil fuels) and do not disturb nature. After the recreation activities, the area left behind must be the same as before the activity, intact and not disturbed.

Sustainability is very important for the municipality of Ameland and it also wants to adopt sustainability in its tourism industry. The environmental policy plan informs readers on how the municipality wants to use the island sustainably, and wants to excel in this locally, nationally and internationally with goals concerning energy, transportation, waste, giving the example and in communication.

Because Ameland is an island, it is isolated when compared to other municipalities on the mainland. Therefore, the inhabitants of the island are dependent on each other in many ways. They are very well aware of their common dependency. The result is that the island inhabitants are involved in many activities on the island and take part in the political decision making. Therefore, the municipal council is amongst the inhabitants.

The staff of the civil service are all island inhabitants and this also strengthens the bond between the local government and the inhabitants of Ameland. During the centuries, the inhabitants of Ameland have developed a strong interconnectedness. This is also visible in the social life on the island, which is well developed.  

Concerning safety, there is a distinction between safety of the inhabitants and safety of the guests to the island. Because Ameland is relatively small, the social check amongst inhabitants is quite large. Irregularities are noticed quickly and are mostly solved amongst islanders themselves. Also concerning measures against flooding and disasters from. the sea, the visitors are prepared. The inhabitants of the island have centuries of experience concerning these problems. However, visitors to the island do not have this experience and usually come to the island for vacation

For instance, anyone who vandalises or breaks the law cannot leave the island easily without being seen. It is difficult to move patients to medical care off the island. There is not a lot of experience with large scale disasters for which the island has to be evacuated. The island has a limited number of police officers, but these are supplemented during peak holiday season. The island has two fire stations, one in Nes and one in Hollum. Personal accidents are usually traffic related, around accommodations and during certain activities, e.g. swimming and horse riding.