| Nature |
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| 1. Natural Values |
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Schouwen-Duiveland is surrounded by the North Sea and two of the most important water and nature areas of western Europe: Grevelingen and National Park De Oosterschelde.
Near Haamstede, Schouwen-Duiveland has the broadest dunes and the largest forest area of the province of Zeeland. Behind the beach, dunes and forest is a vast polder landscape with fields, meadows and nature and in between picturesque villages and towns. Dreischor, the most beautiful circular village of Zeeland has been declared as the greenest village of Europe (Entente Florale).
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| 2. Information & Education |
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Through the centuries, water has been definable for nature development of the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. Breaching of dikes, channels and farmlands are special characteristics of the natural values of the island. Kop van Schouwen has, due to its elevation, a meager natural development and is completely different. The high natural values of the edge of the Oosterschelde have come into being by the force of the water.
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The most recent development of natural values are Grevelingenmeer, Oosterschelde and Voordelta. One can say that Schouwen-Duiveland is one large nature area where different aspects have gotten their place during the centuries.
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| 3. Contact with Nature |
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Because Schouwen-Duiveland is the northmost peninsula of Zeeland, it is the “crown” of Zeeland. The island has alot to offer for visitors: eat seafood from the Oosterschelde or stroll through the enjoyable sea resorts, e.g. Renesse and Haamstede. It is possible to swim, sail and dive in the lakes and the North Sea. In nature the vacationer can look for wildlife or birds or stroll through the vast forests, dunes and farmlands.
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The nature areas are large enough, so you don’t bump into eachother. Beneath a beautiful clouded sky and in varying light the landscape of Schouwen-Duiveland is unforgetable.
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| 4. Green Policies |
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The islands and sandbanks from which Schouwen-Duiveland developed are a play of nature. Wind, water, sand, the original growth and the influence of man have eventually during the centuries led to the crown of the islands of Zeeland. On the cutting edge of land, salt- and freshwater nature got a unique dynamic composition. Nature has always been an important factor on Schouwen-Duiveland.
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In the economic sectors Tourism and Agriculture/Horticulture nature and green policies have an important role. The municipal council of Schouwen-Duiveland and nature organisations are aware of that importance and in their policies they include preservation and expansion of nature on the island. Nature management and green maintenance are a thread in the municipal policy plans as well in plans for the future. |
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| 5. Open
Landscapes |
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Typical for Schouwen-Duiveland is the open agricultural landscape and the inseparable connectedness with the surrounding water. A combined action of physical, biotic and cultural processes have resulted in the current landscape. The area is east of the dune area near Kop van Schouwen en consists of old land and new land. It stretches west of Brouwershaven along Noordgouw to the east of Zierikzee.
The landscape of the old land with its endless, beautiful wide views is more open than the new land. In the new land the view is often blocked by the many dikes that divide the landscape into little units.
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The Kop van Schouwen-Duiveland is higher and offers forests and a broad dune area. Open landscapes on the island are shaped by the surrounding water of Grevelingenmeer and the national park Oosterschelde. In this chapter the agricultural area, the shaping and characteristics of the old and new land are described as open landscape.
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