Darkness of the Wadden

Mission

The Wadden Sea region is one of the last places in the Netherlands where it still gets really dark. In an increasingly enlightened world, night still has free reign on the Wadden Sea. As a result, here you can still see the most impressive starry skies, really relax and be surrounded by unique night nature. The Program Darkness of the Wadden is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of darkness and inviting people to experience the unique darkness of the Wadden. Together with entrepreneurs and local partners, we are developing a string of darkness experience spots along the Wadden coast. Everyone is welcome to experience the darkness for themselves, completely free of charge.

In this way, we ensure that the dark Wadden will continue to be loved and protected in the future.

Cooperation partners

The University of Groningen, the Nature and Environment Federations of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen, Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten and the Waddenvereniging are jointly committed to preserving, experiencing and protecting the unique quality of the Wadden area. Darkness of the Wadden consists of a number of smaller projects. Each partner in the program leads part of these projects.

The role of Science LinX

On behalf of the RUG, Science LinX organizes the following projects in cooperation with scientists and students:

Dark Sky Lauwersmeer

The Lauwersmeer area is one of two Dark Sky Parks in the Netherlands. This means that the International Dark Sky Asssociation has recognized this nature reserve as a particularly dark place. The activity center Lauwersnest, together with Staatsbosbeheer, is supplemented by a darkness exhibition, education is provided and visitors can go on night excursions.

Night gardens

We are also constructing one of the Night Gardens next to the Lauwersnest: a garden planted in such a way that nocturnal animals feel at home. In addition to the night garden in Lauwersmeer, we are also laying out Night Gardens in Noordpolderzijl and 't Zandt.

Darkness themed walk

Around Natuurdorp Suyderoogh there are several hiking trails that are used daily by local residents and tourists. Donkerte van de Wadden is laying a 5-kilometer planet trail here, where visitors walk through our solar system and learn more about the universe and darkness.

Termunten: seals and stargazing

On the banks of the Dollard stands the visitor center Dollard of the Groninger Landschap. On the spot where there is now a seal viewing wall between April and September, Donkerte van de Wadden places a stargazing point between October and March. This consists of stargazing benches, an observation platform, an information board about the night sky and power points for connecting astronomical equipment.

Experience the night at Sterrenzijl

In northern Groningen, Noordpolderzijl, the smallest seaport in the Netherlands, is located on the tributary dike. Noordpolderzijl is one of the darkest spots along the Wadden coast. On Wednesday afternoon, May 8, a night garden with the artwork Sterrenzijl was opened next to café 't Zielhoes. The program Donkerte van de Wadden invites visitors to visit the artwork Sterrenzijl through the night garden past fragrant night plants. During the day, you can learn more about the starry sky and enjoy the vast landscape. At night, Sterrenzijl becomes really special: take a seat on the lounge sofa or lie down in a hammock and enjoy the beautiful starry sky above you.

Dark close-up

Much darkness can be experienced with the naked eye, but with the right equipment there is even more to discover. The Dark Nearby project improves the experience of darkness in the Wadden Sea region by making observation equipment available. We do this for example by placing telescopes at lending locations, training darkness ambassadors and together with the Institute for Nature Education and Sustainability (IVN) giving courses to young people.

Mobile darkness experiences

We bring the dark to you across the country using the Sciencetruck, the mobile planetarium and the Darkness Maze. Special darkness modules have been developed for the Sciencetruck and the mobile planetarium and are taught by our student team. The Darkness Maze is an interactive scavenger hunt for children filled with experiments and facts about the dark.

Maps

The Geodienst of the RUG made two maps for the program.

On this map you will find an overview of the telescope network.

On this map you will find an overview of all darkness experience sites and night gardens.

Links and socials

www.donkertevandewadden.nl

@nightvanhetwad on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook