Haus der Naturpflege e.V.
Demonstration and teaching garden with a nature conservation museum in the log house of the conservation couple Kretschmann, an owl tower and environmental education in Bad Freienwalde.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Haus der Naturpflege goes back to Erna (1912–2001) and Kurt Kretschmann (1914–2007). From 1960 they opened their home and garden to the public as a model facility for practical nature conservation, planted around 1,000 woody plant species, and laid out various garden types, huts and observation platforms. The site is regarded as the oldest environmental education facility in Germany and the birthplace of the "Naturschutzeule" (nature conservation owl). In 1983 the Kretschmanns sold the house and garden to the city of Bad Freienwalde.
After reunification, the future of the house was uncertain. On April 26, 1993, Naturfreunde (Friends of Nature), the city, the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve and the district administration founded the friends' association, which has taken over operation and maintenance under contract since 1995. In 1996 the nature conservation museum opened in the former log house of the Kretschmanns; it was renewed and expanded in 2007.
The grounds today include the demonstration and teaching garden with a mulch garden and orchard meadow, the 13-meter owl tower from 2003 with a view over the Oderbruch, the lecture and guesthouse in the former forester's house, and the Erna and Kurt Kretschmann Archive. The association offers environmental education programs for daycare centers, schools and families, and is a hiking base in the region.
Highlights
- Nature conservation museum in the log house of the conservation pioneers Erna and Kurt Kretschmann
- Owl tower (13 m, 54 steps) with a view over the Oderbruch
- Demonstration and teaching garden with mulch garden and orchard meadow
- Oldest environmental education facility in Germany
- Owl treasure hunt for families
Permanent exhibition
- Naturschutzmuseum: Leben und Wirken von Erna und Kurt Kretschmann – Exhibition in the former log house of the two nature conservation pioneers about their lives, their garden and their legacy for nature conservation.
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Haus der Naturpflege e.V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Historic garden tour (approx. 1 hour, registration requested) | €5Children €1; groups and special formats by arrangement. |
|---|
The garden, observation tower and museum can be visited for a donation; there is no fixed admission price.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Environmental education programs for daycare centers and schools (by registration) and the owl treasure hunt for families (no registration needed); children press apple juice, make paper by hand and identify wild herbs.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Café
Association café on the grounds (e.g., "Café & Keks" during events); overnight stays in the guesthouse, hay hotel and Finnish huts.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Meeting room including equipment €120 per day; family celebrations in the garden, team days and own workshops by request.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Historic garden tour (approx. one hour) by registration. The owl tower is part of the Tower Diploma of the Bad Freienwalde hiking region (stamp in the house); the house is a hiking base on the Oderland Trail. |
