Roel J. Benthem (1911-2003) was a Dutch nature protector who played an important role in the design of nature and landscape in land-based projects.
NJN a studyRoel Benthem was a member of the Dutch Youth League for Nature Studies NJN and was highly inspired by Jac's work. P. Thijsse. He studied in Delft Geodesy and combined his qualities as a surveyor and practitioner of nature study in a lifelong quest for optimal alignment of nature, landscape and agriculture. Contact Commission
Van Benthem was a board member of the Contact Committee for Nature and Landscape Protection since 1949. He included, among other things, the secretary of the Cultural Landscape Workgroup (1945-1950), and worked on reviews of valuable Dutch landscapes that had to be given priority. In doing so, he sometimes came into conflict with other nature conservationists who aimed more closely at nature conservation like Victor Westhoff and especially the professor of plant physiology and important public advisor for nature conservation Theodorus Weevers. Government: landscape
In 1949 he became Head of the Landscaping Department of State Forestry. His fire baptism was the reconstruction of Walcheren that was completely underwater in the war. Together with the landscape architect J.T.P. Builder he worked on a whole new Walcheren. His love for cultural-historical aspects of the landscape led to an untiring and successful commitment to Het Bossche Broek near 's-Hertogenbosch.
In the flood of barracks, Benthem tried to maintain the quality of landscape and nature through consultation and persistence. An indirect success was that the 1954 Ruilverkavelings Act pledged to make a landscaping plan for every trade settlement. Importance
The importance of the targeted official / nature protector is likely to be underestimated. His work on landscaping and planning has stamped on Dutch nature and landscape protection. International recognition has proved Benthem, with some European prices as a result.
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