A bridal photo shoot or yoga session in a nature reserve of Natuurmonumenten. It sounds like the most normal thing in the world. But if you have not registered this in advance, you can just be inspected.
This does not only apply to Het Bruurserzand. Everywhere in the areas managed by Natuurmonumenten, you must register and pay for commercial activities. Also in Drenthe, says area manager Eric Menkveld of Natuurmonumenten in South Drenthe. “We are a private association with members. Of course we also receive a subsidy from the province, but it does not cover it. That is why we ask for a contribution from a commercial activity.”
For example, Natuurmonumenten annually receives about five to ten requests for a photo shoot on the Dwingelderveld and sometimes a request for a film shot. “If it is ecologically sound, we will give permission. You do not want to disturb deer or nesting birds. Sometimes we also think about a place and designate it. And if it is a larger event, we must apply for permits. our best time.”
Photographers in Drenthe who do a lot of wedding photography are surprised. The rule that you must register with Natuurmonumenten in advance is not generally known. On the one hand there is understanding, on the other hand photographers find it relatively quiet in Drenthe’s nature. “We don’t get in each other’s way here.”
Mirjam van der Kuijl of Mirfotografie is not too worried. “I don’t come to these places very often for wedding photography. Moreover, there are so many other beautiful places that you don’t have to pay for. That’s why I would try to avoid this as much as possible.” She herself takes nature into account. “I look for a good place, but always think of the bride’s dress. I think it’s very important that we don’t destroy nature. But to be honest, when I look around Drenthe it’s not very busy with wedding photography. This is perhaps something that plays more in the west of the country, for example.”
Natuurmonumenten understands that photographers would like to make use of nature, but the rules do not make exceptions for quiet areas. Prak: “Entrepreneurs who develop activities in nature and earn money from it must pay us a contribution to maintain nature. We think that is fair. You get a time slot in return, so that at that moment you as a commercial party can act as you are the only one present in that place.”
In Drenthe, Natuurmonumenten receives few applications for commercial activities in nature. For the Dwingelderveld, for example, there are five to ten requests for a photo session per year. There is therefore a chance that there are also several wedding couples who illegally have photos taken in the area. Eric Menkveld knows it happens. “But we don’t approve it with that. That’s why there are boas around that can ticket you.”
If you are caught during a commercial activity without permission, you can get a temporary area ban and a fine of almost a hundred euros.