Dutch Butterfly Conservation

Dutch Butterfly Conservation, known in Dutch as De Vlinderstichting, is a Dutch nature conservation organization focused on the protection of butterflies and dragonflies in the Netherlands and Europe. It was founded in 1983 under the name Stichting Vlinderonderzoek (Butterfly Research Foundation) and is headquartered in Wageningen. The organization works on the conservation of day butterflies, night butterflies (both macro- and microlepidoptera) and dragonflies, combining targeted research with practical advice. The organization's work addresses questions such as where species are found, whether they are doing well or poorly in those locations, why butterflies and dragonflies are disappearing, and what can be done about it. De Vlinderstichting frequently collaborates with or carries out assignments for other organizations, including Vereniging Natuurmonumenten, CBS (Statistics Netherlands), RIVM, provincial landscape organizations, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), provinces and municipalities. Beyond nature reserves, De Vlinderstichting also works to improve natural quality in verges, parks, public gardens and private gardens close to home. This is done through information and educational projects, such as advice on nature-friendly gardening and nature-friendly management of public green spaces, teaching packages for primary education (with real butterflies), lectures and exhibitions. The organization also (co-)produces butterfly and dragonfly guides and atlases as well as educational materials, and publishes the magazine Vlinders four times a year. De Vlinderstichting has around 35 permanent staff, 2,000 volunteers and 5,000 donors. It is part of the SoortenNL organizational network. Together with Statistics Netherlands (CBS), it runs the national monitoring programs (Landelijke Meetnetten) for day butterflies, night butterflies and dragonflies, in which volunteers count butterflies weekly along fixed routes according to a set protocol. By linking this data to weather conditions, conclusions can be drawn about trends in butterfly populations. In August 2025, De Vlinderstichting published a report on the presence of pesticides in Natura 2000 areas. The study revealed that 51 different pesticides were found in ten Dutch nature areas with the highest protection status, including pesticides that have long been banned in the Netherlands. The publication led to death threats against the researcher from De Vlinderstichting. The organization subsequently took the study offline, and Stichting Mobilisation for the Environment decided to place the anonymized study on its website.

De Vlinderstichting was founded in 1983 under the name Stichting Vlinderonderzoek (Butterfly Research Foundation). From its base in Wageningen, it grew into a national center of expertise on butterflies and dragonflies, combining scientific research with practical conservation and public engagement. Over the decades it expanded its scope from day butterflies to include night butterflies (macro- and microlepidoptera) and dragonflies, and extended its work from nature reserves to verges, parks, public gardens and private gardens. A core part of its work is the national monitoring program (Landelijk Meetprogramma), run together with Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Volunteers count day butterflies weekly along fixed routes according to a set protocol; similar networks exist for night butterflies and dragonflies. Linking counts to weather conditions allows the organization to draw conclusions about population trends. De Vlinderstichting also collaborates with or carries out assignments for organizations such as Vereniging Natuurmonumenten, RIVM, provincial landscape organizations, the Ministry of LNV, provinces and municipalities. Education and outreach have been central since early on: advice on nature-friendly gardening and management of public green spaces, teaching packages for primary education (with real butterflies), lectures and exhibitions. The organization (co-)publishes butterfly and dragonfly guides and atlases and educational materials, and issues the magazine Vlinders four times a year. It is part of the SoortenNL network. In August 2025, De Vlinderstichting published a report on pesticides in Natura 2000 areas, finding 51 different pesticides in ten Dutch nature areas with the highest protection status, including substances long banned in the Netherlands. The publication triggered death threats against the researcher, prompting the organization to take the study offline; Stichting Mobilisation for the Environment later posted an anonymized version.

• 2025

  Published a report on pesticides in Natura 2000 areas, revealing 51 different pesticides; received death threats and took the study offline.

• 1983

  Founded as Stichting Vlinderonderzoek (Butterfly Research Foundation).

A science-based nature conservation NGO combining research, monitoring, advice and public education to protect butterflies and dragonflies in the Netherlands and Europe.

• Vlinders magazine

  Quarterly magazine published by De Vlinderstichting.

• Butterfly and dragonfly guides and atlases

  Publications on butterfly and dragonfly identification, distribution and ecology.

• Educational materials and teaching packages

  Teaching packages for primary education, including with real butterflies, plus lectures and exhibitions.

1. 1Home - Vlinderstichtingvlinderstichting.nl
2. 2Dutch Butterfly Conservation - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3De Vlinderstichting - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org