Biologische Station Zwillbrock e.V.

About the museum

The Biologische Station Zwillbrock e. V. was founded in 1986 and is one of the first biological stations in North Rhine-Westphalia. It mediates between agriculture and nature conservation, looks after protected areas in the region, and is funded by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the district of Borken and the city of Vreden. Alongside protected-area management, it runs a visitor center, an environmental education program and the Moorhof sheep farm, whose Moorschnucken sheep graze the bog and heath areas.

Its home area is the Zwillbrocker Venn, a remnant of a once much larger raised bog, just under 200 hectares in size, on the Dutch border. It has been a protected area since 1985 and is known for its flamingo breeding colony and its many black-headed gulls. The station has, among other things, dredged the Lachmöwensee, built a dam and looks after the Flamingoinsel (Flamingo Island).

In the visitor center, an interactive permanent exhibition leads through seven typical habitats of the region, from farmland through forest, bog and heath. Topics include flamingos, black-headed gulls, the changing landscape and conservation measures. There is also a Venn shop and an outdoor area with a touch and smell garden and a landscape model you can touch.

Highlights

• Interactive permanent exhibition on bog, heath, forest and grassland
• Starting point for the Zwillbrocker Venn with its flamingo breeding colony
• Outdoor area with a touch and smell garden and tactile landscape model
• Audio guide in easy language, in German and Dutch
• Exhibition at ground level and wheelchair-accessible

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung im Besucherzentrum – Interactive discovery tour through seven typical habitats of the region and through the Zwillbrocker Venn, with flamingos, black-headed gulls and conservation measures.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Biologische Station Zwillbrock e. V.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The entire exhibition is at ground level and can be used with a wheelchair, rollator or stroller. Magnifying glasses and step stools for small visitors are available, and the reception area has accessible toilets. The audio guide uses easy-to-understand language; the outdoor area has a tactile landscape model and a touch and smell garden.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The interactive exhibition is for young and old alike, and step stools help small visitors. The outdoor area has a play area and picnic seating; during Flamingo Spring a nature experience day for the whole family is held.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Zwillbrock 10, 48691 Vreden. The station is the starting point for hikes and bike trips into the Zwillbrocker Venn and the Ellewicker Feld; the circular trail through the Venn is just under 6 kilometers long.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Venn shop with sheep products, souvenirs and naturalist supplies; also cold and hot drinks, ice cream and fairly traded bars. Payment in cash or by debit card (EC-Karte); free Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit