De Alde Feanen National Park

Lore & Background

The area has been owned by It Fryske Gea since 1934. After a four-year preparation period, the Minister of Nature designated it as the 20th national park in the Netherlands in 2006, which as of 2012 remained the last national park created. The park contains the lake area Princenhof (or Princehof) and several monumental windmills, such as 'De Ikkers', a so-called 'spinnenkopmolen' from the 18th century.

Reader's Guide

De Alde Feanen National Park is significant as the 20th and, as of 2012, the last national park designated in the Netherlands. It protects a diverse landscape of morasses, lakes, forests, peat, and meadows, hosting at least 450 plant species and 100 bird species. A prominent bird is the white stork, for which tall wooden poles have been installed for nesting. The park also features Shetland ponies in paddocks that visitors can enter to pet. The visitors centre, De Reidplûm, is located in the village of Earnewâld, near the stork breeding station It Eibertshiem. The park's ownership by It Fryske Gea since 1934 underscores long-term conservation efforts. Its inclusion as a Natura 2000 area highlights its European ecological importance.

Did You Know?

• The park is also a Natura 2000 area.
• Tall wooden poles have been installed for white storks to build nests.
• Some paddocks with Shetland ponies can be entered by visitors to pet the ponies.