IVN Vlinder- en insectentuin Zuidlaren

Description

IVN Zuidlaren's butterfly and insect garden lies on the woodland edge of the Zuid-Es allotment complex. This sheltered garden links woodland, allotments and the open es landscape and is designed for pollinators and other small wildlife.

History

IVN Zuidlaren established the garden in 2006. A strip of traditional arable crops was added in 2008, followed later by fruit trees, gradually broadening its educational collection.

Nature & layout

Nectar plants feed adult butterflies, while the woodland edge and fields provide caterpillar food plants and shelter. Two ponds attract frogs and dragonflies, and the sheltered position warms quickly on sunny days.

Visitor information

The garden is freely accessible every day. The main entrance is beside the Aqualaren swimming-pool car park on Wilhelminalaan; walkers and cyclists can also enter from Schapendrift.

Did you know?

The garden shows residents how simple choices can make a garden more butterfly-friendly. Butterflies are also monitored here for the Dutch national butterfly monitoring scheme, giving the site a research role.