Standbeeld Jacob Viergever

Jacob Viergever (1917–1983)
Jacob Viergever was born in a small farmhouse near Serooskerke and would live there his entire life. He began as a teacher but found his true calling in nature. At a young age, he developed a passion for birds, plants, and shells, inspired by lessons from bird enthusiast Johannes Vrijenberg.

Nature Lover and Collector
He became active in the Dutch Youth Association for Nature Study and later in the Schouwen-Duiveland Nature and Birdwatch Society. Jacob kept field notebooks filled with observations of the island’s flora and fauna, collected shells, and wrote for journals such as Amoeba, Het Zeepaard, and Sterna.

Disaster and Recovery
The 1953 North Sea Flood destroyed his entire collection and notes. Yet he started anew, creating a herbarium, giving lectures, and leading excursions. He became a regional authority on nature and was made an honorary member of the Birdwatch Society.

Statue
In 2023, Jacob was honored with a statue in Serooskerke, the thirteenth in the tradition of sculptures by the Renesse Foundation. The bronze sculpture was created by artist Marijke Ravenswaaij-Deege and donated to the community of Schouwen-Duiveland.

This statue was donated by the Renesse Foundation.