Luxembourg-based nature conservation NGO natur&ëmwelt has reported that the Maison de la Nature in Kockelscheuer is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a family-friendly event on Saturday 26 October 2024, from 14:00 to 19:00.
Since 1994, the former "Kräizhaff" farm dating from the 1820s has become a documentation, information and education centre dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Abandoned during the 20th century, the Kräizhaff remained vacant for several decades before being acquired in the 1970s by the City of Luxembourg (VdL). In 1994, the VdL made the building and its 3-hectare plot of land available to natur&ëmwelt, thus creating the Maison de la Nature.
The Maison de la Nature currently houses the offices of natur&ëmwelt asbl, the Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur, and the nature activities division of the VdL Education Department. The surrounding land is landscaped according to environmental educational criteria and houses an educational apiary, an orchard, a mini-farm, a school garden, a geological trail, a greenhouse and other elements open to visitors.
Among the most notable developments undergone at the Maison de la Nature since 1994, natur&ëmwelt highlighted the following:
- rehabilitation of the buried pond in 1995;
- construction of a technical annex with a workshop and a room to accommodate school classes in 2001;
- installation of a photovoltaic system on the roof of the annex in 2004;
- installation of the educational apiary in 2005; plus three donkeys joined the stable that same year;
- official inauguration of the family garden in 2006;
- inauguration of the mini-farm, welcoming sheep, goats, rabbits, runner ducks and chickens in 2008;
- official inauguration of the geological trail in 2009;
- expansion of the Maison de la Nature in 2014;
- development of the 2000 m² land as an agricultural cultivation field (a joint project with IBLA asbl and co-labor s.c.) in 2015;
- construction of the dry stone amphitheatre in 2022.
These facilities can accommodate around 15,000 visitors per year, including schoolchildren and nature enthusiasts.
On Saturday 26 October 2024, to celebrate this anniversary, the Maison de la Nature is inviting the public to a day full of activities and discoveries for the whole family.
Interactive workshops and information stands on nature protection projects are on the programme throughout the day, from 14:00 to 19:00. The official opening will take place at 14:30, in the presence of the College of Aldermen of the City of Luxembourg, with cake and drinks for all visitors.
The Shop Nature, specialising in nesting aids for animals, will be open all afternoon. Members of natur&ëmwelt asbl will benefit from a 5% discount on their purchases by presenting their membership card.
