Board

 Members of the Board

Irene van Lippe- Biesterfeld
Chairman
Inspires and implements transformation and awareness

“By being aware that we are a part of the great web of life, we are able to find a connection within its strands, and re-connect with our inner nature as well as with our fellow human beings”.  

Matthijs Schouten
Vice-Chairman
Associate Professor Restoration Ecology at the University of Wageningen, The Netherlands

“To me, the unity of all life is the nucleus of existence”

Professor Schouten works in the State forest administration and teaches at the universities of Wageningen in The Netherlands and Cork and Galway in Ireland. He also studies biology, philosophy and literature. The relationship between humans and nature is an important aspect of his work. Professor Schouten has also included writings on this topic in his book ‘Spiegel van de Natuur’ (Nature’s Mirror). His contemplations are also powerfully reflected in his academic teachings. Professor Schouten has a close affinity with Ireland, where for many years he has triumphed the cause of conserving the peat bogs (peat moors). 
 

 

 Klaas van Egmond

Klaas van Egmond is an associate professor of Environment at the University of Utrecht and director of the Environment and Nature Planning Office (MNP). It is in the capacity of the latter that for numerous years he has preoccupied himself with issues pertaining to the environment, nature and sustainable resources.

“Sustainability has everything to do with conserving the cohesive structure between the ecological, economical and socio-cultural quality of the existence of life. The relationship between humankind and nature is a unifying factor between these three qualities and therefore makes an essential contribution towards a necessary connection.

On the cultural and ecological front this connection expresses itself in experiencing of nature, including her spiritual aspect. The quality of life that people tend to pursue and the attitude adopted towards sustainability is strongly determined by the experience of nature.

The NatureCollege Foundation strives to restore nature back into people’s everyday lives and in so doing contributes significantly to a sustainable means of living. 

Froukje Jansen

Maker of television programs with great commitment to social issues. Broadcasted for Llink 3 op reis , Llinke soep en Aanpakken & Wegwezen. She also starred in the VARA programs ‘De Zomer Draait Door’ and ‘Gifkikkers’. 

  Frans Timmer
Treasurer 

Independent consultant. Previously affiliated with the Partnership Meijburg & Co. KPMG.  

Matthijs Schouten
Vice-Chairman
 Associate Professor Restoration Ecology at the University of Wageningen, The NetherlandsMatthijs Schouten
Vice-Chairman
 Associate Professor Restoration Ecology at the University of Wageningen, The Netherlands

“To me, the unity of all life is the nucleus of existence”

Professor Schouten works in the State forest administration and teaches at the universities of Wageningen in The Netherlands and Cork and Galway in Ireland. He also studies biology, philosophy and literature. The relationship between humans and nature is an important aspect of his work. Professor Schouten has also included writings on this topic in his book ‘Spiegel van de Natuur’ (Nature’s Mirror). His contemplations are also powerfully reflected in his academic teachings. Professor Schouten has a close affinity with Ireland, where for many years he has triumphed the cause of conserving the peat bogs (peat moors).
 

“To me, the unity of all life is the nucleus of existence”

Professor Schouten works in the State forest administration and teaches at the universities of Wageningen in The Netherlands and Cork and Galway in Ireland. He also studies biology, philosophy and literature. The relationship between humans and nature is an important aspect of his work. Professor Schouten has also included writings on this topic in his book ‘Spiegel van de Natuur’ (Nature’s Mirror). His contemplations are also powerfully reflected in his academic teachings. Professor Schouten has a close affinity with Ireland, where for many years he has triumphed the cause of conserving the peat bogs (peat moors).
 

 Willem Ferwerda

Director General IUCN, the Dutch office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a cooperative organization of 34 institutions and organizations and the Dutch state. IUCN also advises and influences policy, has expertise in the field of biodiversity and ecosystems and finances international projects. Willem Ferwerda is a tropical ecologist and focuses on issues relating to the management of global ecosystems, the impact of the Dutch and European economies on nature in other countries and the roles of government, industry and NGOs in this. 

Peter Blom Peter BlomPeter Blom

CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board Triodos Bank. (in 2009 elected ‘the most sustainable bank in the world’).