Bentwoud

The Bentwoud is the new name for a nature and recreation area in the Dutch province of South Holland, in the Green Heart of the Randstad. It is surrounded by Alphen aan den Rijn with the hamlet of Benthuizen, Boskoop, Hazerswoude, Waddinxveen, Moerkapelle, and Zoetermeer. It was originally planned to transform an area of 1300 hectares into forest with plenty of space for recreation. The plan, which has been in development for 20 years, was affected by severe budget cuts. As of 2012, only 750 hectares had been purchased and just 250 hectares had been planted with trees. By 2016, it consisted of over 800 hectares. The area is managed by Staatsbosbeheer. The National Children's Tree Forest is under development. In this forest, birth trees grow for new global citizens and life trees for children who have passed away. This opportunity was offered by Staatsbosbeheer during the 50th anniversary of the Foundation National Tree Day in 2007. The first trees for this were planted in 2015. Sponsorship for more trees and education is now also provided by BP Nederland, the ASN Bank for the ASN Sponsorship Forest, the Krepel Group, and individuals in collaboration with the foundation wAarde for the Avatar forest.
In the forest-poor and densely populated west of the Netherlands, there is a shortage of recreational areas. To meet the growing demand for this, a plan arose in the 1980s to reforest peat meadow areas, thus developing a large contiguous forest and recreation area with natural values.

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