English
Who we are
Gelderland is the largest and most varied province in the Netherlands. We have already saved many natural and cultural gems from decline here. We are an independent NGO, carrying out preservation and management work ourselves, with the support of more than 42,500 benefactors, the National Postcode Lottery and the government. In total The Gelderland Trust already owns some 11,000 hectares of historical land and over thirty historic houses; altogether more than 135 of the most beautiful places in Gelderland. Almost all areas are accessible to the public, and seven castles and historic houses are open to the public as well. Many people have already visited these places to feel, taste and smell for themselves. We will be pleased to welcome you as well!
What we do
Historic country estates, medieval castles and ruins, country houses from the 17th and 18th century and a largely nationally registered museum collection of 18,000 pieces. Cultural heritage. Nature reserves and parks with very rare plant and animal species, centuries-old tree-lined lanes, burial mounds, celtic fields, thickets and wildlife hedgerows and moors. Natural heritage. The Gelderland Trust is responsible for several extremely valuable estates. Numerous monuments take us back to a spectacular and educational past. From prehistory up to the 20th century. Areas of natural beauty take us back to the essentials of life. We preserve and protect all these riches and would like you to enjoy them as well.
Our integral vision
Landscapes and monuments are the basic elements of natural and built heritage. As such they are places of tranquillity, space and reflection. They promote people’s well-being and reinforce their identity. That is our vision. Throughout our work we emphasize that preservation and management always involves the ‘ensemble’, green and red, nature as well as stone. After all, working man and nature had always been organically connected to one another. That applied to the housing of both the nobility and the farmers. In our vision we keep in line with the European Landscape Convention (ELC) that was adopted in 2000 in the Italian city of Florence.
Our knowledge and skills
With well over 100 staff we have all the necessary knowledge and skills within our organisation. These vary from managers of nature areas and horticulturalists to biologists and art historians. Policy, conservation and practical management are all carried out by our own organisation. Our 450 volunteers form an essential part of that work. Since 2005 we have our own chair at the VU University in Amsterdam: Heritage of monument, garden and countryside. This has helped to reinforce our advisory function in professional circles.