Ben van Buiten: Storm
The forest is no amusement park during a storm
Ben van Buiten walks around outside, takes in what he comes across, and forms his own opinions about it. Sometimes big, sometimes small, often just enough to make him pause for a moment.
Austen and Boelo. It sounds like a friendly duo running a bed-and-breakfast in the Ardennes. But nothing could be further from the truth. These are the names of the first fall storms that swept through our country. And they really wreaked havoc. Trees got a free root massage, branches decided to go their own way, and here and there, the forest looks like an episode of “Expedition Robinson.”
Still, there are people who, after a storm like that, think: “Great, time to get some fresh air in the woods!” That’s understandable, but perhaps not the wisest idea. After all, the trees have been through a lot. Branches break off, roots can come loose, and sometimes a tree still stands tall and proud, even though it has already lost its footing underground.
And falling branches? They don't wait politely until you've passed by. No siren, no push notification, and certainly no friendly warning: "Watch out, here I come!"
Still, warnings don't always seem to get through to everyone. A red-and-white ribbon? Apparently, it's an invitation to take a look at what's behind it. A fallen tree blocking the path? Just climb over it.
A sign that says "Danger"? Oh, it probably won't be that bad.
Ben van Buiten then wonders: If you saw a roller coaster with a loose safety bar, would you still say, “I’ll just get on anyway”?
After a storm, we sometimes close trails or post warnings about dangerous areas. We do this not to spoil your hiking experience, but to prevent accidents. Even days after a storm, branches can still fall or trees can topple. We inspect the trails as needed and clear away any hazards.
So, has Austen or Boelo really wreaked havoc in your favorite hiking forest? If so, give nature some time to recover. Stay away from closed trails and follow the warnings. Feel free to choose a different route to get some fresh air.
The outdoors doesn’t follow a schedule. This means new situations arise every day in public spaces. If you see something that doesn’t look right, you can easily report it using the BuitenBeter app. That way, we can all help keep things in order outdoors.