Ecomare

The national foundation for preserving the Wadden Sea was founded in 1965 when the government planned to build two dams between Ameland and the Frisian coast. A large group of wadden lovers saw this as the first step in the direction of a total impoldering of the Wadden Sea. The two-dam-plan put to a halt. Since then, lawyers and activists from the Waddenvereniging have also booked important successes in the fight against environmental pollution, other impoldering efforts, military usage, mining and fisheries. In its regulations, it is stated that: "The Waddenvereniging is the only watchdog of the dynamic wadden region, the most beautiful nature and recreational area of Western Europe. The Waddenvereniging communicates on misunderstandings, fights them and promotes active improvements and new developments which positively help the management and preservation of this unique area." The foundation counted over 45,000 members in 2006.