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Order of the Golden Ark | |
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![]() Kingdom of the Netherlands Commander of the Order of the Golden Ark badge of order | |
Type | Order of Merit |
Country | ![]() |
Awarded for | Significant contributions to nature conservation |
Status | Still living recipients, but no longer awarded since 1999 |
Grand Master | Unknown |
Grades | Commander (Dutch Commandeur) Officer (Dutch Officier) Knight (Dutch Ridder) |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | Teutonic Order, Bailiwick of Utrecht |
Next (lower) | Cross for the Four Day Marches Awards of Dutch NGO's |
![]() Ribbon of the order |
The Order of the Golden Ark (Dutch : Orde van de Gouden Ark) is a Dutch order of merit established in 1971 by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. It is awarded to people for major contributions to nature conservation. [1] Although not awarded by the government of the Netherlands, it is considered by the government as a recognized chivalrous order. [2] Since its inception, over 300 people have been recognised by the award. Now that Prince Bernhard has died, the future of the order is uncertain.