Cities could help insects bounce back but miss opportunities, experts say

Two leading environmental groups, Natuur & Milieu and the Insect Knowledge Center, are calling on all Dutch municipalities and landowners to immediately take action to reverse the decline in insect populations by creating dedicated insect-friendly zones in each of the country’s 3,500 neighborhoods.

According to the organizations, urban areas offer significant potential to help insect numbers recover—but that potential remains “largely untapped.” They are urging local governments to introduce clear policies that support insect habitats, pointing to the pressing need for stronger measures as required by the newly adopted European nature restoration law.

“More than one-third of all insect species are found in cities, and 10 percent are even dependent on them,” said Rob van Tilburg, director of programs at Natuur & Milieu. He cited species such as the red mason bee and the common black hoverfly as examples of insects that rely on urban ecosystems.

To guide municipalities, a group of insect experts has developed 11 recommendations for making cities more insect-friendly. These include ensuring sufficient habitat, food sources, and access to water, minimizing the use of pesticides, reducing the frequency of mowing, and planting a wide range of native trees, shrubs, and herbs.

Despite the growing urgency, most municipalities still lack specific policies to support insect life, the groups said. National policy on the issue is also described as “fragmented and vague.” To address this, Natuur & Milieu is offering guidance and highlighting existing initiatives that have already been developed and can be expanded across more cities. These programs include the “Butterfly Idyll,” “Urban Oasis,” and “Colorful Verge” projects.

The groups emphasized that protecting insect life is not optional. “Helping insects is not a voluntary gesture—it is an obligation under the recently adopted European nature restoration law,” the organizations stated.

Earlier research by Natuur & Milieu shows that many cities are becoming increasingly paved over, exacerbating the problem and making conditions even harder for insects. The group stressed the essential role insects play in maintaining ecosystems. “They pollinate crops, feed other animals, and keep the soil healthy,” the organization said.

Van Tilburg warned that insect numbers are continuing to decline sharply. “Cities can become a safe haven for insects, but only if we act now,” he said.