A food forest is emerging at BuildinG on the Zernike Campus. This sustainable initiative has been the dream of Piet Zijlstra, project leader at BuildinG, for years. Now, it is becoming a place for outdoor classes where students can conduct research and take responsibility for maintenance. Zijlstra says, 'We want to create an accessible habitat where nature, education, businesses, and local communities come together.'
‘Together with researcher Joey Koning, I explored the possibility of creating a tiny forest on the campus two years ago,’ Zijlstra begins. ‘However, such an initiative was too expensive at the time.’ This did not stop Zijlstra (pictured in the front, second from the right) from continuing to dream of a small forest at BuildinG. ‘I am a member of the Rabobank advisory council. During a meeting, I was asked what I still dreamed of: “a food forest at BuildinG,” was my answer. Carlo Ezinga, cooperative director of Rabobank Groningen Drenthe, remembered this remark.
When the bank was allowed to spend extra money on sustainable initiatives in honor of its 125th anniversary, Carlo informed me that we could realize a food forest. Rabobank supports the project with 125,000 euros. We are very grateful for that,’ said Zijlstra. Ezinga on the creation of the food forest at BuildinG: ‘The realization of food forests fits our mission to make our shared living environment stronger and more sustainable. The forest is not only ecologically valuable but is also used for education and innovation and is accessible to everyone.’
Friluftsliv
"The food forest will also be used for the concept of Friluftsliv. This Norwegian term means 'life in the open air.' It involves learning in, from, and about nature. Friluftsliv offers opportunities to work on themes like student well-being in new ways, such as reducing stress, developing a connection to nature, and promoting more nature-conserving behavior. Additionally, there is much to learn in both technical and social fields by closely observing how nature works and is structured. Various activities are being organized within the Center for Talent and Learning for both students and staff to further expand this concept.
Collaboration with Vocational Education
The Koploperbos Foundation is providing the trees for the food forest. The foundation plays an important role in promoting food forest initiatives and helps intrinsically motivated small and medium-sized enterprises, education, and other organizations to operate as sustainably as possible. The food forest project is explicitly seeking collaboration with vocational education and the business sector. 'The forest also needs to be maintained. This is a great educational project for vocational students. Initial contacts with AOC Terra have already been established. Many companies are present on the campus. We hope that employees will use the forest as a meeting place. We want to create an accessible habitat where nature, education, businesses, and local communities come together.'
First Shovel
The festive start of the project took place on April 5, with the first shovel being put in the ground by Annemarie Hannink, a member of the Executive Board. If everything goes according to plan, the food forest will be completed by mid-November. 'If students enjoy having outdoor classes, conducting research, and maintaining the forest, then our goal is achieved,' concludes Zijlstra.
Source article: Hanze
Source image: Piet Zijlstra
