Hooft, Desert island in Gooise Meren, Netherlands
Hooft is an artificial island in Lake IJmeer featuring sandy shores and dune vegetation that supports a variety of wildlife. The island was built up from the lakebed and now functions as a refuge where nature can develop largely undisturbed.
The island was created in the 1920s as part of the Zuiderzee Works, a major land reclamation project on the Dutch coast. It initially served as an experimental site for testing different dike construction methods before becoming a protected natural area.
Local authorities implemented strict regulations on Hooft island to preserve its natural state and protect it from excessive recreational activities.
The island is only accessible by boat, and overnight stays are not allowed. Visitors should follow strict leave-no-trace guidelines and respect all regulations designed to protect the wildlife.
The island experiences continuous shoreline erosion and requires regular maintenance to preserve its shape and ecological balance. This ongoing process makes it a living laboratory for conservation management.
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