About The Rich North Sea

Get to know us

How it all began

The Rich North Sea started with a dream: What if offshore wind farms could generate green energy and bring new marine life to the sea? Thanks to the Dream Fund from the Nationale Postcode Loterij, we got the opportunity to bring this dream to life. Natuur & Milieu and Stichting De Noordzee joined forces – and in 2018, the joint program The Rich North Sea was launched.

A healthy North Sea

Our mission

The North Sea’s seabed was once rich with reefs, home to fish, shellfish, and other marine life. But overfishing and climate change have caused a major decline in biodiversity over the years. Nature could use a helping hand. With more offshore wind farms, the pressure on sea grows – but so do opportunities to restore marine life in the North Sea.  

The energy transition can go hand-in-hand with underwater nature. Using innovative methods, we explore how nature-enhancing measures in offshore wind farms contribute to a healthy ecosystem. By sharing our knowledge, connecting stakeholders, and spreading our message, we hope to inspire action – because the beautiful North Sea deserves our protection and restoration. 

Learn more about our approach
Credits: Klaudie Bartelink

The vision of The Rich North Sea

We strive for a future where sustainable energy drives nature’s recovery: a future where every offshore wind farm becomes a nursery for underwater life. That’s what we’re building through innovation, monitoring, and collaboration. Our work demonstrates how the energy transition and nature restoration can work together.

Want to learn more about our success stories in offshore wind farms?

Read about our impact

Meet our team

Vera Bánki
Programme Director
Marjolein Kelder
Senior Project Manager
Christiaan van Sluis
Senior Marine Ecologist
Conny Groot
Senior Communications
Celesta Stockmann
Controller
Frank Jacobs
Project Manager
Oskar van Megen
Project Manager
Isaac de Boer Ferrier
Project Manager
Margot van Aalderen
Project Manager
Eline van Onselen
Marine Ecologist
Renate Olie
Marine Ecologist
Dieuwertje Penders
Press Officer
Ivo van Heck
Communications
Marije Allemekinders
Communications

Watch the story behind The Rich North Sea

On a blank sheet, a unique plan emerged: what if offshore wind farms could contribute to nature restoration? With a talented team dedicated to sustainability, we built this dream from the ground up. Watch our documentary to follow our story.  

A deeper impact with Nature Regeneration North Sea

Launched in 2025, the Nature Regeneration North Sea program is a public-private partnership between the government, science, businesses, and societal organizations.  The Rich North Sea is part of its core group.

With a €150 million Climate Fund grant, this program expands beyond wind farms and focuses on nature restoration across the entire North Sea – scaling up projects, increasing our reach, and driving real impact for a healthy North Sea.

Learn more about Nature Regeneration North Sea
Whereas The Rich North Sea focuses on the opportunities that the energy transition offers for nature reinforcement in the North Sea, Natuurversterking Noordzee focuses on the entire marine area. This includes both marine life and nature in the coastal area.
Jeroen Vis Programmadirecteur Natuurversterking Noordzee

Contribute to a healthy and shared North Sea

Our team is passionate about supporting underwater life. Want to be a part of our mission? Contact us to inquire about current vacancies.
Get in touch