This month, GARN proudly recognizes Stichting Rechten van de Natuur, led by Jessica den Outer, as our Outstanding Member of the Month. Their work is laying the foundation for a future in which Nature has a legal voice in the Netherlands.
Although the Netherlands has not yet officially recognized the Rights of Nature, Jessica and her team are making remarkable progress through a dual approach: grassroots movement building and legal innovation.
They empower citizens to speak on behalf of rivers, forests, and ecosystems as living entities with inherent rights. Their citizen guide (Wegwijzer) has already been used across the country, helping communities advocate for Nature. Events like their annual Dag van de Rechten voor de Natuur (Rights of Nature Day) bring together citizens, lawyers, and policymakers to rethink our relationship with the living world.
In parallel, their legal research is pioneering pathways for integrating Rights of Nature into Dutch law. They have developed a legal roadmap and supported municipalities in taking first steps toward recognizing Nature’s rights — showing that change can start locally and grow nationwide.
“Being part of GARN connects us to a global movement of changemakers who believe that Nature has rights,” says Jessica. “Even if the Netherlands hasn’t officially recognized the Rights of Nature yet, it really empowers us to be a part of this incredible network and be able to exchange and inspire each other”
From community engagement to legal advocacy, Stichting Rechten van de Natuur is proving that the Rights of Nature are not just an idea, they are an achievable reality.
🔗 Learn more: www.rechtenvandenatuur.org
📬 Want to be next month’s Outstanding Member? Join GARN for free and apply in the link you’ll receive directly in your inbox: garn.org/get-involved
