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Forester Frans: "I'm very excited about the blossoming nature in Tilburg"

Frans Kapteijns (70) his greatest hobby is nature and everything in it. Thus, his mission is to make everyone love the nature you live in and ensure that as a result, people treat Mother Earth better. Despite being retired, he still fulfills plenty of activities. For example, he is a volunteer forester, forest bathing guide, ambassador Nature for Health, ambassador Van Gogh National Park and gives various nature excursions. Frans certainly does not sit still and he likes to tell more about nature in and around Tilburg.

How did it all begin?

Frans' love for nature began at an early age, when at the age of seven he had outdoor adventures with his grandfather. It was during one such moment that his grandfather asked him, "Little boy, what do you want to be later?" Without hesitation, Frans answered, "Forester."

After graduating from agricultural high school, however, Frans did not immediately choose a career as a forester. In 1979, he found his way to "De Kleine Aarde," a research center where he immersed himself in organic dairy products and organic grains. There he became responsible for everything to do with dairy and bread at the distribution center called Bolder Center.

After that wonderful time at De Kleine Aarde/Boldercentrum, he joined Natuurmonumenten. There he performed various tasks and functions. "For example, Natuurmonumenten sent me south to deal with problems there and renovate an existing visitor center on Brunssummerheide." Between 1991 and 1997 he was also active at Omroep Brabant with the nature program "Sprokkel." After returning to Brabant, he became a familiar voice on the radio at Omroep Brabant starting in 2003. "Here I answer listeners' questions about nature in the program "Stuifmail," he says.

One of his activities at Natuurmonumenten was and is guiding excursions, but he also enjoys going out as a nature guide at IVN Oisterwijk: "Guiding excursions is one of my passions now in the role of former forester and nature guide. Sometimes I simply let my mind wander during a soothing walk. For me, wandering in nature was and is the ultimate way to organize my thoughts. Plus, you keep moving and enjoy the beauty of being outdoors."

In 2016, Frans chose to retire early as a forester, with the goal of giving a new generation the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. Thus, he proudly told us:

"I retired with a big smile."


What is being a forester?

Frans is now enjoying his retirement as a volunteer forester and likes to share how it used to be, "Back then, you became a forester by studying at agricultural or forestry high school and in-depth knowledge of the area was crucial. Now the profession has changed with companies taking over many forest ranger duties. Modern foresters are primarily experts in a specific natural area, with roles such as ecologist, communications forester and management forester. Contemporary foresters spend a lot of time at the computer. Indeed, nature management and biodiversity are now digitally documented." 

French's Contemporary Nature Missions: Podwalks, Podcasts and Passion 
"In nature, I feel alive," says Frans. After retirement, Frans certainly hasn't been sitting still. He already has 44 podcasts to his name and is now focusing on podwalks. Listen to the podwalk as you walk into the nature reserve yourself and hear from Frans what you will encounter. He will inform you about the area. Or listen in your easy chair and experience nature as if you were there yourself. Soon the Wandelbos in Tilburg is scheduled. 

Frans is still very active in nature: "I still enjoy giving nature excursions and at the moment I am most often approached as a forest bathing guide. Forest bathing is about slowing down and becoming one with nature. I am convinced that the forest can have a healing effect. This walk you experience with all your senses, even your skin. It also helps to leave behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I am also an ambassador for Nature for Health, together with this organization we want to show that greenery makes you happy, relaxes you and can offer peace. Being outside in nature helps strengthen our immunity and contributes to our mental health." 

In addition, Frans is an ambassador for Gogh National Park. He offers support here in terms of communication, think Instagram, twitter or facebook. He also likes to inform about the Van Gogh National Park.

​Tilburg's urban nature in full development 

During the development of the Spoorzone, Frans was asked to lead a walk to show Tilburg's urban nature here. He recalls, "In the beginning we walked along the rails and abandoned wagons. Tilburg asked me to show that nature can also be found everywhere here." 

"I am very excited about the blossoming nature in Tilburg. The increase in trees is positive, especially with rising temperatures. I also see other positive changes, such as the large planters and the green stepping stones in Tilburg," said Frans. "About old trees I do worry sometimes, they are cut down too quickly."

He complimented the growing urban nature and predicted further expansion. He also offered advice to Tilburg: "Place more bird-friendly vegetation, such as hedges for sparrows." 

Frans saw Tilburg changing from a "gray" city to a greener and more imaginative place: "Positive developments, such as the Spoorpark and greener buildings, are remarkable. Although some parts are still bare, this simply takes time," Frans stressed. 

Frans has great faith in Tilburg's urban nature. His wish for the city? "To go out the door and stand directly with one leg in nature. But if I've learned anything in recent years, it's patience. Nature does everything at leisure, so our urban nature also needs time to develop. Tilburg does need to think carefully about how to deal with new large buildings." 

A Journey through the Green Splendor of Tilburg 

Frans can be found in many natural areas in Brabant. "I enjoy coming to Tilburg and especially the Noordenbos and the Leijpark. I also see positive developments in the Stadsbos013, but also the Van Gogh bicycle route/walking route is unique in Tilburg," says Frans. 

The now National Park the Loonse and Drunense Dunes is the absolute favorite of Frans: "The Loonse and Drunense Dunes is very unique and then also my favorite because of the drifting sand. This area is always moving and even the largest moving drifting sand area in Europe. For example, 90 percent of all the drifting sands in Western Europe are in the Netherlands. Brabant even used to be a large drifting sand area!" In addition, sand is a fundamental element of our existence in the Netherlands. 

Embrace nature together with Frans 
Frans finds it important that everyone can experience nature in peace: "For me it is of great importance that everyone can enjoy nature. Go into nature where possible, but with a lot of respect towards nature. Bring back garbage, don't smoke in a nature area, keep your dog on a leash and go into nature in peace. Adapt to the unwritten "rules of the game" of nature, where both animals must adapt to humans and vice versa. We must become aware that different rules apply during the breeding season than during the winter period."

If you just don't know where to find the beautiful bits of nature take a look at our nature page. There are also more beautiful routes you can follow according to Frans: "There are many junction routes, but also guided excursions. You can find these at places like Visit Brabant, IVN, Brabants Landschap or Natuurmonumenten. For me, the most important thing is to master the art of slow walking in nature as well as in the city." 

If you want to embrace nature more you can definitely join a forest bath walk that Frans provides. If you are interested in a walk from Frans don't hesitate and take a look at his website.

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