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- Satellite view of South Flevoland. Oostvardersplassen (OVP) with 15,000 acres of reclaimed land, is the green area (center) surrounded by development and farmland to the north.
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- Map of the new Province of Flevoland reclaimed from the seabed. The project started with closing the Zuider Zee in the 1930s as a flood protection strategy.
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- Wide view of OVP shows lush grasslands. Visitation is very limited, although there are numerous bird spotting platforms. Courtesy of Staatsbosbeheer.nl.
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- Red deer introduced at OVP in 1992 are similar to elk. The herds are among the high density grazers that keep the grasslands well mown in the reserve. Courtesy of Staatsbosbeheer.nl.
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- Konik horses were brought from Poland in 1984. They are similar to tarpans, the last subspecies of wild horses in Europe. Courtesy of Staatsbosbeheer.nl.
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- Red deer and Heck cattle mingle in herds. Competition for food in the winter months can be substantial. Courtesy of Staatsbosbeheer.nl.
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- Frans Vera, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the development of OVP and his theories of forest management, takes a break for some documentary photography. Photo credit Ruben Smit
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- Forester holds a rare white-tailed eagle. A breeding pair arrived on their own — a great victory for OVP. Courtesy of Staatsbosbeheer.nl.
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- Heck cattle are named for two brothers who cross- and back-bred the cattle to have aurochs-like characteristics (ancient mammals that went extinct by the 19th century). Courtesy of Staatsbosbeheer.nl.
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- Barnacle geese abound in the thousands, along with other migratory birds and waterfowl. Courtesy of Staatsbosbeheer
Green News Update 