Green Cafe & IVN invite you to a special December nature walk in the Wielewaal Estate, a beautiful urban forest of 142 hectares with forests, avenues, meadows and fens; and a place which is brimming with history. It was hidden for more than a century from visitors and now it is open to the general public. It is located 3 kilometers from the city center, in the north west of Eindhoven (next to Philips de Jongh park).

This green area was still in 1850 a heathland. During the second half of the 19th century, it was afforested, and in 1912 purchased by Anton and Gerard Philips, becoming a private real estate. Later on, Frits Philips, son of Anton Philips, built his country house there and lived there until his death in 2005. During all this time, he planted monumental trees and unique plants here, making a wide variety of flora that grows and blooms in this park. The municipality of Eindhoven bought this property in 2022 to transform it into an accessible urban forest and to preserve its cultural-historical value, particularly the Philips heritage. Since the third quarter of this year, it is open to the general public.

During the walk, you will hear from an IVN guide about the cultural-historical facts and the landscape aspects of this amazing green area and last but not least, you will hear how flora, fauna and its different habitats are being preserved and improved.

Practicalities
• Gathering time: 10:15. The walk starts at 10:30, so please be on time.
• Meeting point: We will meet at Elburglaan 12, which is the entrance to the Lichtbos (the name of the Wielewaal Estate). We’ll be waiting for you in front of the gate. There is enough space to park your bikes here. But if you come by car, you can park it at the Urban Sport Park Eindhoven located on Halvemaanstraat (5 minutes walk).
• Clothing: Please bring good walking shoes and appropriate jacket according to the weather. We will be outside for more than 2 hours. The walk will not be cancelled even if it’s raining.
• Waiting list: If the tickets are sold out, please add your name to the waiting list. If there are enough participants on the waiting list, we have the possibility to have a second group (15 people per group).
• Ticket fees will be used to pay IVN

About IVN
IVN is a Dutch organization that since 1960 has been connecting people with nature by helping children and adults to experience how fun, healthy and important nature is. They organize nature activities, events, courses, projects and campaigns. This walk is organized by IVN Veldhoven- Eindhoven-Vessem.

Green Café
The Green Café is a collaboration between Trefpunt Groen Eindhoven, Eindje Groen (Katja Lumme), with individual contributors: Annemarie Voorsluys, Chloe Baldasseroni, Giedre Liutkeviciute, Mayra Ortega Maldonado and Zubin Nayak. It organizes various activities on nature and sustainability for the international community of Eindhoven. For example, lectures, workshops, city tours and film sessions. Green Cafe is supported by the Eindhoven Library and the Holland Expat Center South.
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