Make Change Work
The story behind
‘Plantage Consulting’
Why Plantage…?
Fred's Motto: Make Change Work!
Plantage Consulting is built around this motto. The connection lies in the fact that Plantage Consulting is located in the Plantage Willem III nature reserve in the Province of Utrecht, Netherlands.
Plantage Willem III is a nature reserve situated on one of the spurs of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. This wooded area, ending in the floodplains of the Nederrijn, was used for seed breeding and production until 1995. Afterward, Utrechts Landschap restored the area to nature, resulting in a magnificent nature reserve that is home to a highly diverse flora and fauna.
This is what Plantage Consulting strives to achieve as well. By guiding change in your organization, you can achieve remarkable results. Make Change Work!
Tobacco Plantation
Plantage Willem III owes its name to the tobacco plantation established here in the 19th century. In 1853, the Ruys family founded a tobacco plantation. At that time, the landscape at the foot of the Heuvelrug near Elst was dominated by tobacco cultivation and the associated tobacco barns. By the early 20th century, tobacco cultivation had peaked. In 1902, the plantation came into the hands of N.V. Cultuurmaatschappij Remmerden, after which tobacco cultivation declined. After about 60 years, the enterprise was transferred to the crop breeding company Cebeco. Since May 1995, Plantage Willem III has been managed by Utrechts Landschap. The historical locations of the tobacco barns are now mown, keeping them visible in the landscape.
Grasslands and Heathland
Plantage Willem III hosts one of the largest dry calcareous grasslands in the province of Utrecht. The grasslands are grazed by semi-wild Galloway cattle, Konik horses, and wild fallow deer. A shepherd with a flock of sheep also roams the area. The varied vegetation of herb-rich grasslands, clusters of trees, and shrubs is of great significance to birds such as the stonechat, yellowhammer, common redstart, and woodlark. Additionally, the sand lizard, many butterflies, grasshoppers, and small mammals thrive here. The eastern part of Plantage Willem III is designated as a quiet area, providing ground-nesting birds like the partridge and skylark the peace they need. Higher up the rolling slopes of Plantage Willem III lies a large heathland. The area of heathland more than doubled in 2011. Many plants and animals benefit from this, including small dodder and sand lizard. Hopefully, the nightjar will feel at home here again soon.
Foreign Landscape
Plantage Willem III is a foreign-feeling, rolling area on the southwest flank of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The Plantation features various snowmelt water valleys from the last ice age. One of these is a geological monument and has been beautifully revealed again through the heathland expansion in 2011.
(Source: www.utrechtslandschap.nl)
