Excursion

Please indicate three preferences at the registration form. You will attend one excursion.

Energiepark

Energypark Ratum - by electric buggy, starts at Haitsma Mulierweg 11, Winterswijk (or Scholtemaatweg 1, Winterswijk)

In the Energypark in Ratum you can see and experience how sustainable energy is generated and saved. The Energypark is built in a rural environment. The sustainable energy is generated in the form of solar, wind and water energy. In the park quick and simple saving techniques (including LED lights), sustainable heating technology and sustainable transport are demonstrated. 

Ecotour Winterswijk - by e-chopper, starts at Haitsma Mulierweg 11, Winterswijk

During the ecotour, you visit different sustainable locations in Winterswijk by electrical buggy, where you can see and learn more about the five sustainable themes: energy transition, climate adaptation, cultural history, biodiversity and circuits. A few sustainable entrepreneurs will tell you more about the location and give insight into several sustainable discussions. The ecotour is part of the European Green Leaf Award program.

Dorpsakker Winterswijk, Tuberweg 2, Winterswijk

The Dorpsakker is an initiative of lunch restaurant Bijzonder Gewoon, the Winterswijk town council, education and care organizations in which many pillars come together.

The 0.67 hectare site on the edge of Winterswijk consists of an organic vegetable and fruit farm with a greenhouse, store, kitchen, restaurant and bakery. Here participation, ecology, gastronomy and economy are inextricably linked. But above all, the Dorpsakker is a meeting place, a place to enjoy and a place to work for people with different backgrounds.

Throughout the year, indoor and outdoor activities take place here. This is how people meet and develop. Not only in the greenhouse and the vegetable garden. Also in the store, kitchen and at the table. In addition, the Dorpsakker contributes to the biodiversity in Winterswijk.

Redesigning roads based on the Social Development Goals - by bus, Industriestraat 3, Aalten

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been used to implement a sustainable redevelopment of two streets in Aalten. The themes about healthy living, use of materials, climate resilience, greening and biodiversity have served as pillars for the design of Dijkstraat and Admiraal de Ruyterstraat.

For example, red ‘Grasfalt’ (asphalt made of elephant grass) has been used in the bicycle lanes, 800 m3 of rainwater infiltration and storage has been realized and children have helped to plant the green strips. Experience has been gained with the project on how Global Goals can be applied effectively and visibly within infrastructural works. This experience is now being used in other projects. During the onsite visit you will receive a presentation about the project from different perspectives. 

Wind energy, water management and nature development in the Aalten Goor - by bus, Boterdijk, Aalten

In the Aalten Goor area, various functions are combined. The nature reserve is largely managed by Staatsbosbeheer and is part of Gelders Nature Network. But there is also room for agriculture, the generation of wind energy and recreation. In recent years the Rijn and IJssel Water Board, together with the stakeholders, has gone through a process to retain the water in de area for longer. 

This area has recently been proclaimed ‘icon landscape’ of the Netherlands.

During the excursion Ronald Broekhuizen, project manager of the Rijn and IJssel Water Board, will talk about the function of the newly designed area and specifically about combining the functions therein: prevention of flooding for the surrounding area in combination with water retention and nature development. We also take a look at the Hagenwind wind park. One of the initiators of the park explains the creation of the park and the generation of wind energy in the Aalten Goor.

Market garden Smits - by bus, Lage Heurnseweg 35, Aalten

At Groentekwekerij Smits, leeks, strawberries, cabbage, asparagus, potatoes, apricots and laurel are grown. In addition to growing, Smits also processes vegetables. Sustainability is an important part of business operations. Where possible, existing working methods are made more sustainable and new sustainable processes are introduced.

Smits is a member of the Landwinkelcoöperatie, which strives to create citizen involvement in the landscape, the farm and its products. More than 85 agricultural entrepreneurs offer pure and healthy products in their Landwinkels, such as farmer’s cheese, dairy, vegetables, meat and regional products.

Another special feature is the pumpkin cultivation on the farm. In the Netherlands a lot of use is made of pumpkin seeds, e.g. by bakeries. The seeds are often imported from China or Austria. Gert Smits is committed to the local cultivation of pumpkins. He grows oil pumpkins for the seeds, but also consumer varieties, Halloween pumpkins and ornamental pumpkins.

Smits’ motto is “Fresh from the field, direct to the customer”. During the onsite visit, Mr. Smits gives an explanation of sustainable business operations and a tour of his company.