The Helderse Valley is now officially "Host of the Wadden Sea." This means that as a visitor center, we are collaborating with five other Wadden Sea centers* and the Wadden Association on a joint educational program that highlights the unique value of the Wadden Sea region.
What does this entail? Within this partnership, the Wadden Sea Centers coordinate their exhibitions, lessons, and activities. This way, we offer a single, clear narrative about the Wadden Sea. We also ensure that guides and ambassadors have access to relevant training courses and materials. Furthermore, the Wadden Sea Centers are joining the International Wadden Sea School (IWSS), an international educational program that works closely with partners in Denmark and Germany. This ensures an internationally recognized and up-to-date curriculum that inspires and informs visitors about the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site.
Grant awarded: The collaboration within the Hosting Program is made possible by a grant from the Wadden Fund, the Provinces of North Holland, Friesland, and Groningen. The Helderse Valley is part of the broader organization behind this program and will work in the coming years to make the Wadden Sea story accessible to visitors from the Netherlands and abroad.
Katelijne van Spronsen, director of De Helderse Vallei, is proud of the recognition: "This grant allows us to raise awareness of the Wadden Sea with even greater focus and collaboration. I'm incredibly proud that we, as a center, can contribute to this and look forward to inspiring our visitors to Den Helder to do their part to protect this beautiful World Heritage site."“
Mutual cooperation is essential
Over the next four years, various other work packages will also focus on collaboration between nature managers, government agencies, and other organizations and projects, including a suitable code of conduct for visitors to this area. In addition, tourism organizations will ensure a good distribution of visitors to protect vulnerable areas and to measure the (positive) impact of visitors.
Collaborating parties in the Hospitality Program are:
Wadden Sea Management Collective, Economic Board Groningen, National Association for the Conservation of the Wadden Sea, Wadden Islands Collaboration, Ameland Museums Foundation, City Marketing Den Helder Foundation, The Helderse Valley Foundation, Marketing Groningen Foundation, Merk Fryslân Foundation (lead organization), MuzeeAquarium Delfzijl Foundation, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences Foundation, Texel Museum Foundation (including Ecomare), Tonnenloods Terschelling Foundation, Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre Foundation and Association of Wadden Sea Municipalities.
*5 Wadden Sea area visitor centres: Amelander Museums Foundation, MuzeeAquarium Delfzijl Foundation, Texels Museum Foundation (including Ecomare), Tonnenloods Terschelling Foundation and Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre Foundation
