Welcome

The Foundation for Restoring European Ecosystems, FREE Nature, works on the development of natural areas, allowing nature to stand on its own feet. Natural processes are reactivated, shaping wild nature.

We’re letting large herbivores such as horses, bison, deer, rewilded bovines and flourish as part of these natural ecosystems. People are welcomed to enjoy this natural wealth freely. Our animals graze in more than 30 nature reserves throughout the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

Together with our clients and partners, FREE Nature handles the entire developmental process: from creating long term visions, setting up management plans and practical herd management. Engaging local communities within these projects, is our second nature.

Foundation for Restoring European Ecosystems

What does a social herd of horses look like?

Large grazers that live in the wild year-round, create their own groups and establish their own relationships. We name these groups 'social herds'.

How FREE Nature helps developing spontaneous nature

FREE Nature operates under the philosophy that well-composed natural systems can regulate their own processes with minimal human intervention.

What does a maternal herd in cattle look like?

In cattle the social structure looks a little different from horses: namely, they live under a so-called 'matriarch'.

What does FREE Nature do?

Over the course of more than 25 years, FREE Nature has acquired a wealth of knowledge about the natural live of wild-living horses and bovine.

What is natural grazing?

Large grazers such as the bovines, European bisons and konik horses create the perfect conditions in which many species thrive.

Welcome

What does a maternal herd in cattle look like?

What does a social herd of horses look like?

Dutch koniks start their adventure in Danish dunes