Earlier this week, the municipalities of The Hague and Wassenaar jointly launched the “Green Beach Scheveningen-Wassenaar.” With this festive launch, both municipalities took an important step toward a more natural, biodiverse, and climate-resilient coastal area. The municipalities will no longer clean these stretches of beach with machines, allowing nature to take its course. Volunteers and visitors will be deployed to keep the beach clean.
The Green Beach is a coastal zone where nature is given more space. The Hague section of the beach starts north of the last beach access point at the end of the Zwarte Pad parking lot and extends to the municipal border. Its length, including the Wassenaar section, is approximately 2 kilometers. By allowing wind, sand, and sea to do their work, a dynamic landscape is created where pioneer plants return, dune formation begins, and coastal birds and insects find more habitat. This not only makes the beach greener but also more resilient to climate change. Aldermen Laurens van Doeveren (Wassenaar) and Robert Barker (The Hague) kicked off the event. Various other organizations were also present, including representatives from the South Holland Landscape Foundation, the Dune Conservation Foundation, Dunea, IVN Nature Education, Bird Protection Netherlands, the Anemoon Foundation, and representatives from BeachClean & Workout.
Nature the space
The project’s launch was all about connection, collaboration, and inspiration. Alderman Robert Barker (The Hague): “With the Green Beach, we’re giving nature a place on our coast again. By creating space for plants, animals, and natural processes, we’re not only enhancing biodiversity but also enhancing the beach experience. This is an investment in a healthy, future-proof coast that everyone can continue to enjoy.”
The Hague and Wassenaar share the lead
The Green Beach is located on the border between The Hague and Wassenaar. Alderman Laurens van Doeveren (Wassenaar): “In our beach vision for the Wassenaarse Slag, we emphasized the importance of closely linking recreation and nature experiences. While the Green Beach isn’t located on the Slag itself, it aligns seamlessly with our vision for the entire coastal area. We are working with all stakeholders toward the Green Beach Pennant, the quality mark for sustainable and environmentally friendly beach management. All of this is supported by the dedication of many volunteers, and I am proud of what they are making possible. That’s why I’m delighted that we are joining forces with The Hague to support this enthusiastic beach community.”
Photo: Henriette Guest