After graduating in ecology at Wageningen, Martin Baptist obtained his PhD in river and flood risk management at TU Delft. ‘I'm studying the link between hydraulic engineering operations and ecosystems. For example, in the construction of dunes, salt marshes and other projects that we call ‘Building with Nature’, such as the sand motor along the coast near Kijkduin. I am committed to nature-based solutions, which entails using nature to help us achieve our goals, while supporting it, or at least minimising the damage we cause it.’
Our country faces major challenges such as loss of natural areas, urbanisation, dry summers and flooding due to climate change. With all this in mind, Wageningen researchers have been examining the role that nature might play in renewable energy, town planning, agriculture and flood risk management. They have drawn up…