Our field studies centre Krupárna – The Mill
A Rocha Czech’s centre, Krupárna (‘The Mill’) is located in a river valley near Dobruška, in northeastern Bohemia, surrounded by 2.5 hectares of meadows and forests and within 30 km of the ecologically important Eagle Mountains, Grandmother’s Valley and the Rozkoš reservoir. Krupárna is an old, spacious building that was originally a grain mill, then a textile mill. A stream that used to power an old-fashioned water wheel still runs under the building. We hope to install a turbine that will provide an alternative, water-powered source of electricity.
Plans are underway for extensive renovation of Krupárna, creating two large classrooms with space for nature exhibitions, smaller common rooms, a library, office, workshop, small kitchen and storeroom in one half of the building. The other half will provide apartments for two A Rocha families. The attic will become a large dormitory plus smaller guestrooms, with capacity for about 25 visitors and volunteers.
Reconstruction of Krupárna will enable us to expand our educational, ecological and environmental programmes for elementary and secondary schools. It will also provide a base for university volunteers engaged in conservation research and practical fieldwork. We also envision an office in the centre for a researcher and advisor in the field of ecological agriculture.
If you would like more information on Krupárna, please contact czech@arocha.org.
