Land van Ons uses ‘Biophonic Orchestra’ to highlight biodiversity loss

The citizen initiative Land van Ons is using a project called the ‘Biophonic Orchestra’ to highlight the decline of biodiversity and natural soundscapes in Dutch farmland. Since 1900, more than 85% of the Netherlands' original biodiversity has disappeared, with the most significant decline occurring in agricultural areas due to intensive farming practices involving pesticides, fertilizers, and monocultures.

To combat this, Land van Ons uses funds provided by citizens to purchase farmland, which is then leased to nature-inclusive, organic farmers. These farmers focus on maintaining healthy soil and reintroducing landscape elements such as hedges, ponds, and flowering field margins. Philippe Terheggen, chairman of Land van Ons, noted that while many green pastures appear healthy from a distance, they are often ecologically lifeless. The initiative reports that their approach is working, as increased presence of herbs, butterflies, and birds has been observed within a few years, bringing back characteristic natural sounds.