A farmer’s contribution to wildlife

It seems a bit farfetched to send in this picture for Frank Jansen’s Tuesday Photo Challenge: Human Impact, but let me explain why I do it anyway.

Centuries ago Dordrecht, my hometown, was a small island due to a series of floods called the St. Elizabeth’s flood (1404 – 1424). Gradually the land around the town extended, partly by the hand of nature herself and partly by enclosing land by dikes and thus creating polders. Still an island, but to a large extent man-made land.

Over the years the effects of human impact continued, even today as projects are being set up to return part of the agricultural land to nature and turning it into a wetland again in order to fight the consequences of climate change. Farmers are cooperating in this project and getting help to be relocated or are receiving a compensation.

Another proof that these farmers are environment-minded is there concern for wildlife. That is why they have sown wildflowers in the grass surrounding their land. It is a very cheerful sight and lovely to pass during a bike ride. So when I saw the late afternoon sun shining through these flowers, I could not help but step down and make this picture. The positive side of human impact.

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