Het Drentse Landschap, Fochteloërveen by Mark de Weger

The Fochteloërveen is a core area in the Netherlands' main ecological structure and a Natura 2000 site protected by Europe. It is designated as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention. About 1,100 ha of the area is owned by the Natuurmonumenten Association, which is managed together with the approximately 1,400 ha owned by the Forestry Commission.

To promote the growth of raised bog, the area has been humidified by constructing sheet piling, draining ditches and installing weirs. A buffer zone is also being created around the actual nature reserve. Traditionally, on the north side is the Bankenbos forest area and the Veenhuizen Colony. To the south and east, near Fochteloo and Ravenswoud, agricultural land is being converted into nature areas, which are indispensable for water management and offer many opportunities for fauna. Access to the area is limited. A cycle path runs across a sand ridge through the area and there are some footpaths. There is a bird-watching hut and near Ravenswoud is a watchtower.

Research in 2004 showed that the humidification has been good for plant growth. Brown peat moss, extremely rare in the Netherlands, is back. Pipestraw, a brownish-yellow, grass-like plant that gained the upper hand when the peat dried out, is getting less and less space. In its place are now one-eared woolly grass and lavender heather.