International Wadden Sea School visits founding member on Ameland

On 11 to 13 November, over 30 educators from visitor centres from all corners of the Wadden Sea region gathered on the Dutch Island of Ameland for the annual meeting of the International Wadden Sea School (IWSS). The participants used the opportunity to thank and wish farewell to Johan Krol, IWSS founding member and a driving force of the network ever since its initiation.

Founded in 2013, the IWSS has evolved to a vibrant net of the more than 60 Wadden Sea visitor centres. At its core stands the exchange on Wadden Sea educational and World Heritage interpretation practices and material. The Dutch members used the opportunity to introduce their new projects on further enhancing World Heritage interpretation in their offers. The group experienced one of the offers there are developing for their multiplier with focus on emotional connection to nature.

The group further learned about and experienced the exhibition of the Ameland Nature Centre in Nes, a life’s work of Johan Krol. Retiring soon, Krol made sure to finish his long contribution to IWSS with a visit to “his” island and led an excursion to one of the most dynamic parts of Ameland.

The next IWSS workshop is planned for November 2025 in Denmark.