Kick-Off event for international Wadden Sea research successfully completed!
On the 29th of January 2025, the Kick-Off event of the funding measure ‘International Wadden Sea Research’ took place in Groningen. Together with over 130 scientists and stakeholders from Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, the kick-off of the four-year collaboration was celebrated. The aim was to get to know each other, discuss key research topics and define the joint working methods within the consortium.
The event began with welcoming speeches from representatives from politics and science, who emphasised the importance of international cooperation in researching and protecting the Wadden Sea. A philosophical perspective on science communication and social responsibility provided a special impetus.
Central research topics were then discussed in interactive workshops. These focussed on the state of the Wadden Sea, the coordination of scientific data, the social impact of research, the resilience of salt marshes and cumulative environmental impacts. Other key topics included access to geodata, stakeholder mapping and interdisciplinary collaboration between the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities for sustainable coastal management.
A strong network for the future
The event impressively demonstrated how committed the research community was to joining forces to explore the Wadden Sea and develop sustainable solutions for the future. The intensive networking and dialogue during the workshops laid the foundation for further international cooperation and innovative research projects.
A big thank you to all participants who made this inspiring meeting possible! We at WadWad are looking forward to the next steps and successful joint research to protect the unique Wadden Sea ecosystem.
Stay tuned for more updates on our project and events! 🌊✨