IVN nature walk: Toon Thielen’s Garden
On Saturday afternoon, 4 July, you can join IVN nature guides Mark & Donge on a walk through a beautiful natural and landscape garden.
On Steenovensebaan near Dorst, Toon Thielen ran a traditional flower and plant nursery for 30 years. Around 20 years ago, Toon changed course; he wanted to return the land to nature. No pesticides have been used since then, and this has resulted in healthy vegetation.
A beautiful 4-hectare nature and landscape garden has now been created here. Ponds and pools have been dug. Flowerbeds with colourful blooms have been laid out and unusual trees and shrubs have been planted. Elsewhere in the garden, nature has been given free rein. A herb-rich grassland has developed, which is mown once a year. The marshy edges around the pools are now home to sphagnum moss and royal ferns, amongst other plants. The emphasis is on biodiversity.
This has created a paradise for all kinds of insects and amphibians. We find many species of butterflies and dragonflies and birds are having a great time. Even foxes and roe deer know how to find their way to the garden thanks to the large ecological connecting zone with nature reserve the Dove Tower. It will be a walk full of surprises.
Before and after the walk, you can pop along to the IVN stall, where there’s plenty to see, smell and feel from the bounty of nature.
Due to the high level of interest in this walk in previous years, we will be starting at different times this year. Please bear this in mind when booking.
Registration is possible until the day of the walk. After registration, you will receive information about the departure point.
The walks start at 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm and last about an hour and a half.
