Create your own route with the Nature Experience Box at the Kleine Meer

In addition to Natuurmonumenten's walking routes, there is now a new way to discover nature. With the Nature Experience Box at De Kleine Meer nature reserve, you can now put together your own route. So there are new opportunities at De Kleine Meer nature reserve for hikers, trail runners and also families. The Nature Experience Box was created on the initiative of trail runner Mark Hessels.

Near the car park on Abdijlaan in Ossendrecht now stands a large wooden box. Self-made by Mark Hessels. "I live near here and love being in the woods. Now I thought it would be nice to give people the chance to make their own route. I approached Natuurmonumenten and so together we looked into testing this."

The Nature Experience Box contains backpacks for families and walkers/trailrunners. There are routes for adults (10 and 12.8 km) and for families (2.8 and 4 km). Using the maps, you can also create your own route.

By scanning a QR code, hikers receive a ticker for €2.50. Immediately afterwards, they receive the code of the number lock on their screen to grab a backpack. "With the money, we maintain the box and a portion goes to Natuurmonumenten for the conservation of nature in the area".

Besides a nice route, you also immediately discover more about the nature in the area. Moreover, there are binoculars in the rucksack to get a closer look at the animals. Ideal for finally getting a good look at that great spotted woodpecker, for example. For the family trails, there is also a small souvenir hidden in the woods. "In the backpack are cards with assignments for the children, where they can look for a real treasure chest. From there, they get to take something out as a real 'trophy'. However, the rucksack with accessories must be returned to the chest after the route".

Nature experience box
The nature experience box is located at Abdijlaan 43A, near the Kleine Meer nature reserve. Cost of renting the backpack is: €2.50.

Photo: R. Koster