Take a look, discover more - science up close

At the WEC, you experience up close how science and nature come together. Located on the Wadden Sea and the Lauwersmeer, the WEC is an inspiring place where nature, science and education come together.

You will meet ecologists, biologists, vets and students who together study life on and around the Wadden Sea. In the ecolab, you can experience their work up close. This is how we bring the special ecosystem of the Wadden Sea closer than ever - for curious visitors of all ages. Whether you are a curious visitor, student or scientist, there is always something new to learn about the extraordinary Wadden Sea ecosystem.

Experience the Wadden Sea and more

Join research on the Pacific oyster

Seal research

The value of science

The WEC uses the Wadden Sea as a source of inspiration, demonstrating how science can help achieve a healthy balance between humans and nature. With modern laboratories, the WEC provides an innovative environment where educational institutions, scientists, and businesses collaborate on new insights and solutions. The Wadden Sea is not just a nature reserve—it is a living laboratory.

Research facilities at the WEC:

Field station and Eco Lab
One Health Lab
Classrooms
Necropsy room
Conference hall
Research accommodation

Step into the lab

When is a pup an orphan?

Invasive species in the Wadden Sea

Field station and Eco Lab

The Eco Lab at the WEC is designed to support scientific research on the Wadden Sea ecosystem. This modern laboratory provides space for hands-on experiments and is ideal for marine ecological research and collaboration between scientists, students, and visitors.

The Eco Lab is not just a place for research—it is also an educational hub. Students and school groups can actively participate in experiments and gain a deeper understanding of how the Wadden Sea functions as a living laboratory. With direct access to classrooms, the WEC seamlessly combines theory and practice.

One Health Lab

A key research focus at the WEC is One Health—the interconnected relationship between human, animal, and environmental health. The seal hospital, part of the WEC, plays a crucial role in this research. Visitors can observe how seals are cared for and learn how these animals act as indicators of the Wadden Sea’s health.

The One Health Lab brings together ecologists, biologists, and veterinarians to better understand and tackle complex environmental challenges.

Seal research at the Dollard

Sinds 2015 bestudeert Stichting Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen het gedrag van gewone zeehonden in de Dollard. Onze biologen onderzoeken de interactie tussen moeders en pups, wat waardevolle inzichten oplevert voor hun bescherming.

Dit onderzoek helpt ons niet alleen de zorg voor zeehonden te verbeteren, maar draagt wereldwijd bij aan hun behoud. Bovendien vormden de resultaten een belangrijke basis voor het Zeehondenakkoord van 2020.

More about this research

Research on the Pacific oyster

The Pacific oyster is an invasive species in the Wadden Sea. With its rugged, ribbed shell and rapid spread, it has had a lasting impact on the ecosystem. How does this species affect the Wadden Sea? What does this mean for biodiversity? Discover more in our research!

Did you know that...

an oyster can live up to 20 years?

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Onderzoek oesterbanken

In dit project werken vissers, wetenschap en het WEC samen aan slim beheer van schelpdierbanken. Zo verbinden we natuurherstel met duurzaam medegebruik van de Waddenzee.

More about this research

Donate

Adopt a seal

Volunteering

Take a look, discover more - science up close

The value of science

Research facilities at the WEC:

Field station and Eco Lab

One Health Lab

Seal research at the Dollard

Research on the Pacific oyster

Did you know that...

Onderzoek oesterbanken

Experience the Wadden Sea in Lauwersoog