Natuurpunt Gent

As a civil society organisation, “Natuurpunt Ghent” stands up for nature and biodiversity in the broad area around the city of Ghent (Belgium). We aim to protect the open space and the quality of the environment. We dedicate ourselves to protecting the landscape and the heritage that can be found within. About 9000 families are members and this makes Natuurpunt Ghent being the biggest local branch of its mother organisation “Natuurpunt”. The slogan of Natuurpunt quotes “Nature for everybody”. Together with the city of Ghent, Natuurpunt Ghent runs a visitor centre next to the 220ha big nature reserve “Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen”. The reserve is part of the European Natura 2000 network designated for the EU Bird- and Habitat Directive. It is open to the public and has free entrance. The long term protection of important habitats, species and landscapes is our main goal. To achieve this, Natuurpunt Ghent unites citizens who want to contribute to this social task, unrelated to any political or other conviction. More than 450 volunteers are the core of our association. With the support of 4 staff members, we are active in many ways: • We guide people in the various nature areas • Yearly, we receive around 100.000 visitors to the visitor centre and cafetaria • We publish the local magazine “Snep” 4 times a year • We buy and manage nature areas • We study species and habitats • We raise awareness, we run campaigns and educational programs • We lobby local and regional governments