De Pelen – de Groote Peel National Park
Region
Europe
Country
Netherlands
Flyway
East Atlantic flyway
Initiative
WLI Europe
About
Name of organisation
Staatsbosbeheer
Funding support
Ministry of ELI
Number of staff
4 persons, all part-time
Number of visitors per year
110,000
Overall aims of the centre
Contacting people with the organization of Staatsbosbeheer, communication between both parties and nature education
Description of the centre
The Mijl op Zeven visitor centre is situated on the south edge of the national park De Groote Peel. All three waymarked walks start from here. The permanent exhibition shows the origins and history of the region. You will also learn about the preservation of the nature in the area. There is plenty of information available and the staff will help people to explore the region.
The eco-friendly build visitor centre is wheelchair accessible. There are also wheelchairs available that can be borrowed free of charge. There is an café inside the centre which serves snacks and drinks. And outside is a play area with picnic facilities.
Expert guides lead regular excursions from the visitor centre. There are also many other activities, some of which are specially for children. Every year there is a leaflet with the activity program throughout that year.
Every year there are 110.000 visitors.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work areas
There are almost 800 excursions every year with almost 10.000 participants, 1200 children who attend the schooling program, there are changing exhibitions with local artists and lots of other activities.
Top three successes
Our birthday parties for children. We have five different programs; for each age group one. With the program we reach children who wouldn’t go to nature otherwise. Afterwards they bring their parent/families to the centre to show where they had such a wonderful time.
Our Peelweek – it’s a week in summer holiday, with all kinds of activities about bog and the Peel. Lots of people attend it, lots of people on holiday in the region.
Ravenpath – an activity where parents and their children search for the black gold (that is what peat’s called in the area) and so they find out how bog is formed, why they cut it and where they used it for. With this activity we are able to serve big companies with happenings; for instance business parties, promotions, etc. And for us it’s a way of increasing our income.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; site information; Producing written materials
Visitor centres
Setting up a new visitor centre; Running a visitor centre; Building / maintaining structures
Participation
Working with disabled people; Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education; Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness; PR and marketing; Running effective administration; Health and safety; Fund-raising; Project planning.
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