In this paper three approaches on transitions pathways are bridged to study the role of agricultural nature conservation in a sustainability transition of the Dutch land use domain. Sustainability transitions in the way society uses land involve a vast number of actors and institutions on very different levels, from individual farmers and consumers over companies or social groups to national or supranational systems. The analysis of these complex transitions can profit from different research lenses. The three perspectives used are the Multilevel Perspective (MLP), Initiative Based Learning (IBL) and Integrated Assessment Modelling (IAM). The analysis provided insights in how the combination of different research approaches may improve the understanding of certain empirical observations related to the studied transitions. IAM provides insight in the measures needed to achieve global sustainability goals on biodiversity and climate while ensuring food supply, and MLP and IBL provide insights in how far these measures are realistic based on current developments in the agricultural and nature regime and on practices at the local level. This is important because a lot of measures and modifications ask for changes at the local level, and studying real life interactions and social relations provides insight into these mechanisms. A combined perspective caters for a deeper understanding of the underlying processes, reasons and motives as well as points towards potential future development and opportunities for intervention.