Visitors can pick bunches of heather on the Hoge Veluwe this weekend

This coming weekend, visitors to De Hoge Veluwe can take home a free bunch of heather. On the Deelense Veld, an area of about one hectare has been set aside where people can pick the blooming heather themselves. The initiative is intended to raise awareness about the management of open landscapes, Stichting Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe reported.

Heather can be picked on Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Nature guides and a beekeeper will be present at the site. The event will also include a demonstration about the management of the landscape since 1900, carried out by turf-cutters.

The national park explained that heather is a type of landscape maintained by humans. “If nature were allowed to take its course completely, the heathlands would eventually turn into forest.” To preserve the landscape, methods such as grazing, controlled burning, turf-cutting, and mowing are used.

Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes and suitable clothes for the walks over unprotected terrain. The event is expected to be popular, with people being advised to get to the Deelense Veld early as there is limited space.