Freya Stern

According to Pieter Haasnoot, Amsterdam Forest's public media manager, the forest is largely focused on protecting and preserving local ecosystems and biodiversity. Forest staff balance nature conservation with community engagement, including an expanding volunteer system. Haasnoot hopes tourists are able to see and experience the importance of being outdoors in Amsterdam. The forest receives 7.5 million visitors a year, and that number is growing, he said.

When U.S. government researchers tracked tule geese migrating during recent wildfires, they discovered that the birds attempting to travel around, above, and through the smoke took more than twice as long to reach their destination—and added more than 400 extra miles onto their journey.