Oostvaardersplassen

Oostvaardersplassen
Konik ponies in the Oostvaardersplassen
Geographical map of the Oostvaardersplassen
LocationFlevoland, the Netherlands
Nearest cityLelystad
Coordinates52°27′N 5°22′E / 52.450°N 5.367°E / 52.450; 5.367
Area56 km2 (22 sq mi)
Designated2 June 1989
Reference no.427

The Oostvaardersplassen (Dutch pronunciation: [oːstˈfaːrdərsˌplɑsə(n)]) is a nature reserve in the Netherlands, managed by the Staatsbosbeheer (state forestry service). Covering about 56 square kilometres (22 sq mi) in the province of Flevoland, it is an experiment in rewilding. It is in a polder created in 1968; by 1989, its ecological interest had resulted in its being declared a Ramsar wetland. It became part of Nieuw Land National Park when that was established in 2018.