Environmental education helps to build a positive attitude towards nature. It is also highly valued, but some local authorities are unable to maintain the necessary level of funding.

Environmental education has been on the government’s agenda for cultivating nature-friendly behaviour among the public since the 1990s. Research has shown that pupils that have received environmental education at school have a more positive attitude towards nature and the environment in later life than children who have had no environmental education. In other words, environmental education in schools works. Visitor centres in the National Parks are environmental education centres for the public as a whole and are well visited.  

Photo: Hans van den Bos, Foto Natura

The vast majority of the Dutch population think that environmental education is important; in fact, almost all parents think it is important that children receive it at school. However, providing environmental education in schools as part of the standard curriculum will probably become more difficult because local and regional environmental education centres are receiving less money. Local centres have already been closed in four municipalities and in three others funding has been severely cut back.