Learn about nature and wildlife

Expand your knowledge of the city's nature and wildlife.

Butterflies

A beautiful butterfly garden, maintained by volunteers, has been created in Reigersbergen in Marlot. The garden is located at the edge of a meadow and is adjacent to a row of garden allotments. As you walk through the butterfly garden you see various sorts of butterflies such as small whites, red admirals, brimstones, holly blues, commas, peacocks, green-veined whites, speckled woods, meadow browns, map butterflies (summer), small heaths, painted ladies, tortoise shells and large whites.

Pick up a folder at the Haagse Hout sub-municipal office or at City Hall.

The Hague Nature Explorers

Every year the Haagse Natuurverkenners (HNV) (The Hague’s Nature Explorers) organises 6 weekend scavenger hunts so that children 7 to 13 years old can experience the city’s nature in a fun way.

The scavenger hunts take children through green areas and sometimes through parts of a neighbourhood. Members receive a booklet, which describes the routes and provides information about the plants, birds, mushrooms and other highlights. An extra creative activity is also organised during each walk.

How do you know where the walks are?

Every member of the HNV receives a newsletter at home. The newsletter describes (in Dutch) where the walk is, how you can get there and whether the walk is accessible to wheelchairs or whether dogs are welcome. Parents and grandparents may also join in. This way everyone can discover the nature in The Hague together.

How do you join the HNV?

You can register via internet by going to Natuurverkenners aanmelden. Membership costs €10 per child.

Excursions in Heempark H.J. Bos

Between the ‘concrete city’ of The Hague and the ‘glass city’ of Westland and at the edge of the Madestein recreational park is one of the most varied green area in The Hague: Heempark H.J. Bos (3 hectares).

The natural ground substances in this arboretum are sand, peat and clay. These ground substances are found throughout the Province of South Holland. This is why a landscape garden was created in 1977 featuring a selection of South Holland landscapes.

Two-hour group excursions are held monthly starting at the Hoeve Bijdorp children’s farm. The entrance is at the Loosduinse Hoofdstraat adjacent to no. 1184. Please check the Dutch-language municipal website for dates and times: Heempark H.J. Bos.