De Alde Feanen National Park

{{Short description|Protected area in the Netherlands}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = De Alde Feanen National Park

| alt_name = Nationaal Park De Alde Feanen

| iucn_category = II

| photo = De Alde Feanen - 4.jpg

| photo_alt =

| photo_caption =

| photo_width =

| map = Netherlands

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Map of the Netherlands

| map_width =

| location = Friesland, Netherlands

| nearest_city = Earnewâld

| coordinates = {{coords|53.1202|5.911|region:NL-FR|notes={{Cite web|url=http://protectedplanet.net/sites/Alde_Feanen_National_Park |title=Alde Feanen National Park |work=protectedplanet.net }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}|display=inline, title}}

| area = {{Convert|25|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}

| established = 2006

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| governing_body =

| world_heritage_site =

| url = http://www.dealdefeanen.nl/

| embedded = {{Designation list

| embed = yes

| designation1 = Ramsar

| designation1_offname = Alde Feanen

| designation1_date = 30 December 1992

| designation1_number = 578{{Cite web|title=Alde Feanen|website=Ramsar Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/578|accessdate=25 April 2018}}}}

}}

De Alde Feanen National Park (official, combination of Dutch and Frisian: Nationaal Park De Alde Feanen) is a national park in the Netherlands province of Friesland. The Alde Feanen is also a Natura 2000 area.

The Alde Feanen is part of the municipalities Leeuwarden, Smallingerland and Tytsjerksteradiel. Its size is about {{Convert|25|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. Part of the national park is the lake area Princenhof (or Princehof). The Alde Feanen contains morasses, lakes, forests, peat and meadows. In the area at least 450 plant species and 100 bird species can be found. A very prominent bird is the white stork (Ciconia ciconia). Tall wooden poles have been installed so that the storks can build nests. Another attraction is provided by Shetland ponies. Some of the paddocks can be entered so that ponies can be petted by visitors.

In the village of Earnewâld there is a visitors centre, De Reidplûm, close to the stork breeding station It Eibertshiem.

The area is owned by It Fryske Gea since 1934. After a preparation period of 4 years, the Minister of Nature designed it as the 20th ({{Asof|2012}}, the last) national park in the Netherlands in 2006.

In the Alde Feanen are several monumental wind mills, such as 'De Ikkers', a so-called 'spinnenkopmolen' from the 18th century.

Pictures

Image:Storks in Alde Feanen.jpg|Two white storks on their nest

Image:De Alde Feanen - 3.jpg|

Image:NP-DeAldeFeanenKaart.jpg|Map of Alde Feanen National Park

Image:Shetland ponies in Alde Feanen.jpg|Shetland ponies including foal

File:Amerikaanse windmolen.JPG|An American windmill in the park

References

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