Private citizens frustrated by the slow pace of environmental restoration in Denmark are buying farmland to convert it into nature reserves. One man, Andreas Groth Clausen, leads a small network doing just that.
Small-Scale Land Purchases for Big Environmental Goals
Across Denmark, some individuals are taking environmental action into their own hands. Without major financial backing, Andreas Groth Clausen and his network have decided to buy small plots of conventional farmland and turn them into natural landscapes. Each participant contributes a minimum of 20,000 kroner to purchase modest farmland parcels around the country.
So far, the group has bought a small farm near Skive and a few hectares on Lolland. Their next potential purchase lies in Haslev on central Zealand, where Clausen is eyeing about seven hectares priced at 1.1 million kroner.
Clausen admits the land is not ideal for agriculture because it is divided by a stream and several bridges. For him, that makes it perfect. He envisions primitive camping sites and new forest areas on plots where nature can grow freely.
Battling the Bureaucracy
While his idea may sound simple, Clausen has run into Denmark’s extensive land-use regulations. The bureaucracy, he says, can feel like a wall. For instance, Danish regulations require land buyers to also own a farm property. That makes sense for professional farmers but can create difficulties for those with environmental purposes.
To meet the ownership requirement, his group bought the Skive farm, then rented out its buildings while using the land for nature projects. Other obstacles soon appeared. When the group tried to plant trees on its Lolland property, laws protecting nearby ancient sites prevented them from doing so. The experience taught Clausen how complex the system is for private environmental projects.
Despite that, he remains persistent. “The rules are different depending on who you talk to,” he notes. For him, overcoming these hurdles has become part of the mission.
A Slow National Transition
Last year, the Danish government launched a “Green Tripartite Agreement” with farmer organizations and environmental groups. The plan calls for planting millions of trees and converting 140,000 hectares of low-lying farmland to protect water quality and reduce nitrogen emissions. Agriculture accounts for roughly 70 percent of Denmark’s nitrogen output.
Yet progress has been slow. Only 604 hectares of restoration projects have been completed nationwide, and about 19,000 hectares are approved but awaiting work. Another 52,000 hectares are being studied for potential conversion. Despite political consensus, the voluntary nature of the program has slowed implementation.
Meanwhile, many landowners and private citizens, including Clausen, decide not to wait. They want visible progress. Land prices, however, remain a major barrier. Farmland has never been more expensive, with average prices exceeding 200,000 kroner per hectare. For comparison, the state recently spent 172 million kroner on a single property in Store Vildmose in northern Jutland.
Does Small-Scale Action Matter?
Clausen acknowledges that purchasing seven hectares might seem insignificant when facing Denmark’s vast environmental challenges. However, he believes that individual action still counts. Waiting for broader reforms is not an option, he explains. “If everyone says what they do is too small to matter, nothing changes.”
His environmental efforts grew out of a passion for outdoor life. Before starting these projects, he held various jobs in culture and the arts. Later, he turned his focus toward nature and began developing small, primitive campsites around Denmark. Buying farmland became the next step, fueled by frustration about the slow pace of national land conversion.
Through these purchases, he feels he can make a tangible difference. “Once you invest in a piece of farmland for nature, it becomes your responsibility that it never goes back to conventional agriculture.” It is a personal commitment, one piece of land at a time.
The Next Field
Back in Haslev, Clausen inspects the field he hopes to purchase. After walking the property for half an hour, he decides to reconsider the price and research what permits might be needed to plant trees or set up a small camping area. A sign reading “camp” near the nearby farmhouse catches his attention. The seller confirms that travelers have already camped there, and he is open to more in the future.
That enthusiasm strengthens Clausen’s motivation. “A small forest with a campsite on seven hectares could work,” he says with a satisfied look. Now he just needs a few more partners willing to join him.
Meanwhile, he continues to demonstrate how individuals can act on environmental goals, even in a country known for its long political processes. From his point of view, Denmark’s future landscape will depend not only on national programs but also on those willing to take one field at a time.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Denmark Issues Formal Apology to Greenland Spiral Victims
The Danish Dream: Buying Property in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Uden stor formue er Andreas begyndt at opkøbe konventionel landbrugsjord for at lave det om til natur
