I was twelve. Near our home in Noordbarge I saw a brightly coloured bird, so beautiful that it could only be an escaped cage bird. But by accident I stumbled on an illustration in a bird guide that identified it as a redstart, a European bird. I took possession of the bird guide, found myself a pair of binoculars and started bird-watching. It changed my life.
The redstart is not a common breeding bird, so imagine my delight when one of the first birds that I heard singing when moving to Giethoorn 10 years ago was a redstart. And then it even bred in the pear tree behind our home. Things had come full circle.

NRC Handelsblad 26 April 2007.

Van Hulten treedt af. Het totale partijbestuur treedt terug. Bos ligt onder vuur. Het rapport Vreeman komt er nog aan. Ik geef toe: het is een wat clichematige tekening, maar daar vraagt de situatie ook wel om.

View this drawing in the gallery
Bekijk deze afbeelding in de galerie

It has happened to me so many times. I go somewhere new and recognize a bird species from a picture that I've seen in a bird guide. But instead of the familiar profile it turns its head and shows a wonderful new pattern. My breath and the world stop for a moment.



View this drawing in the gallery
Bekijk deze afbeelding in de galerie

Van Gogh painted and drew dark pictures while still in Holland. Peat. Squalid poverty. Workmen. The colour came in Southern France, as did his famous blossom paintings. But this spring we do have colour. And blossoms. Look at the very old pear tree behind my house. He was probably around when Vincent van Gogh was alive. Well over a hundred years and dressed for a party!

The result are announced: NABUUR is selected as one of the 21 featured projects of Netsquared! I'm excited and touched, not only because of the honour, but also because this means that developers, consulting firms, and other organizational supporters will help accelerate NABUUR to the next level. In other words, a tremendous and welcome boost for the participating Local Communities and Neighbours.


NABUUR entered a global competition by NetSquared (see NetSquared, from the heart of Silicon Valley) open to both nonprofit and private sector submissions. The purpose was to identify projects that utilize the technologies, tools and communities of the social web to create societal impact in a sustainable fashion. More than 150 projects entered the race, many of them excellent and exciting. Over 3000 people registered with NetSquared and voted. The full list of the 21 selected projects can be seen at featured projects.