Museum Twintighoeven
Region
Europe
Country
Netherlands
Flyway
East Atlantic flyway
Initiative
WLI Europe
About
Name of organisation
Stichting Natuur- en Vogelwacht Biesbosch
Funding support
Fully self-supporting
Number of staff
5 Board members (all volunteers)
Number of visitors per year
Several hundreds to our Museum Twintighoeven.
Overall aims of the centre
To protect all types of nature in the whole of the Netherlands.
Description of the centre
Location near the Dordrechtse Biesbosch on our own property, it consists of several buildings, each with its own function. It is home to many disciplines. From bird counters and ecologists to conservation workers.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
We have a website ( www.vogelwacht.eu ), we give lectures about nature protection and nature research and we organize public activities, many times together with other national organizations.
We produce full reports of our research and findings, and recommendations. Furthermore we write and publish books. We use a projector and laptop for public information and we make publicity on Facebook and Linkedin. In person, we organize days for young people to learn from owl pellets. We hosted an entire school with the launch of a new children’s book about Beavers in the Biesbosch. Many secondary school pupils joined us for several weeks or months of practical internship.
We inform adults about all the problems in nature conservation though film screenings and exhibitions.
This is all facilitated by about 150 volunteers in various disciplines over the typical year. we organize special evenings for our volunteers.
We provide advice to landowners and communities about nature protection and animal and bird protection, being a key advisor for the city of Dordrecht and the municipal ecologist.
A few years ago we wrote a complete inventory about all the birds of the Biesbosch, it became a volume of nearly 5 kg and we able to collect more than € 25.000.00, the volume is completely sold out. We also produce a quarterly magazine, Natuurblad, to keep all of our followers and donors informed.
Top three successes
Co-realize nature development Tongplaat and Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch; designing an urban ecological structure for the city of Dordrecht; Research into the reproduction of fish species in the Biesbosch; Wildlife camera investigation since 2014.
These projects worked well because there was a lack of knowledge for all kinds of animals who live in the Biesbosch, as well as mammals and fish.
Top three challenges
We tried to save a farm from destruction in order to make it a Biological research centre. We wanted to buy a piece of wetland, but the owner refused for unknown reasons and now it is drying up. We tried to buy a piece of agricultural land next to one of our properties for adding it to our Nature reserve, but the owners ask an unrealistic price.
Lessons to be learned: try to persuade local politicians for their support.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage / site information; Producing written materials; Using audio-visual tools
Visitor centres
Running a visitor centre
Participation
Working with disabled people; Engaging young people; Working with volunteers.
Education and communication
Early years education; Delivering adult education; Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness; Running effective administration; Fund-raising.
Join WLI free and create your own member profile showcasing the work you are doing.