De Weerribben-Wieden National Park

De Weerribben-Wieden National Park
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Location	Overijssel, Netherlands
Coordinates
Area	100 kilometres (62 mi)
Created	1882
Operated by	Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer

De Weerribben-Wieden National Park is a national park in the Steenwijkerland municipality of the province of Overijssel, Netherlands. Comprising the largest bog of northwestern Europe, the park consists of two areas, De Weerribben and De Wieden, and has an area of roughly 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi). The park was founded in 1982, but De Wieden was added only in 2009.

History and former use

Large parts of the area were used for peat production till the Second World War. Since then a part of the area has been used for cane production.

Present management

The area is managed by the large private nature-conservation organisation Natuurmonumenten and by the Staatsbosbeheer (State Forest Service). Other parties are involved in management issues as well, such as local communities. About 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) is still used for cane production. Villages like the picturesque Giethoorn are important for tourism and recreation.

Vegetation and wildlife

The vegetation and wildlife are typical for such an area, full of peat and water. Resident species include the water soldier, the sundew, the black tern, the northern pike and, recently, the otter. In addition, the Green Hawker and the Large Copper are found here.

Visitor centres

• Visitor centre De Weerribben in Ossenzijl
• Information centre of the national park in Kalenberg
• Visitor centre De Wieden in Sint Jansklooster
• Schoonewelle 'Centrum Natuur en Ambacht' in Zwartsluis

Pictures

• Weerribben2.JPG

  Weerribben-Wieden National Park

• 2014-05-03 weerribben zvd 05.JPG

  Visitor Centre Ossenzijl from the riverside

• Weerribben 5.jpg

  Weerribben

• Waterpump in the Weerribben 02.jpg

  Waterpump in the Weerribben

• Canoeist in the Weerribben.jpg

  Canoeist in the Weerribben

External links

• Officiële site