Organizer(s): Parvez Rana, Natural Resources Institute, Finland

Date: 25 August 2024
Time: 9:00-12:00
Location: Oecologicum (Liivi 2, Tartu)
Max number of participants: 15
Fee: 30 EUR

This workshop offers an introduction to how remote sensing has been used and can be used to monitor changes in peatland ecosystems, particularly after restoration actions. Participants will get acquainted with the latest advances in remote sensing techniques and peatland restoration. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how remote sensing contributes to environmental research, conservation efforts, and policy-making.

Organizer(s): Lisa Wiatschka, Bax & Company; Vanessa Ferreira, IDENER

Date: 25 August 2024
Time: 9:00-11.00
Location: Oecologicum (Liivi 2, Tartu)
Max number of participants: 40
Fee: no fee

The REWET project will facilitate the sustainable restoration and conservation of wetlands in Europe through an extensive analysis of policy frameworks and innovative methodologies to involve local stakeholders in the decision-making process. 

This interactive workshop aims to bring together different stakeholders (Open Lab practitioners, scientists, politicians, businesses and investors) to discuss current challenges/bottlenecks, and opportunities around wetland restoration. The workshop will help shift perspectives through an engaging role-play exercise, where stakeholders will have to step in other’s shoes to understand their perceptions, drivers and barriers. The final goal is to draw up potential new business model types for the sustainable management of wetlands which benefit both people and nature.

Organizer(s): Mari Palolill, Estonian Fund for Nature, Estonia

Date: 25 August 2024
Time: 14:00-17:00
Location: Oecologicum (Liivi 2, Tartu)
Max number of participants: 20
Fee: 20 EUR

Is harmony between various land use interests a myth itself in ecological restoration or can it be achieved with proper tools and methods? The objective of this workshop is to map the common myths, conspiracy theories and arguments against ecological restoration in Europe. Furthermore, we aim to dig deeper with workshop participants to understand the driving forces behind those myths and conspiracies that lead to conflict.

Organizer(s): Kata Fodor & Karmen Czett, Environmental Social Science Research Group (ESSRG); Twan Stoffers, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB)

Date: 25 August 2024
Location: Oecologicum (Liivi 2, Tartu)
Time: 14:00-16:00
Max number of participants: 30
Fee: no fee

Addressing freshwater biodiversity loss requires the integration of diverse social perspectives into policy-making. BioAgora is organizing a workshop to co-design the governing principles of the future European Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD). Using a design thinking approach, participants will simulate interactions among diverse stakeholder roles, including researchers, hydropower companies, local communities, and NGOs. Participants will reflect on their experience, discuss pros and cons of participation, and explore tools for inclusive decision-making. The goal is to refine the SSBD's governing principles, ensuring that it effectively bridges knowledge and policy while empowering a broad range of stakeholders for freshwater biodiversity protection.

Organizer(s): Ida Beathe Øverjordet (SINTEF Ocean) and Fedra Herman (SERE)

Date: 28 August 2024
Location: Estonian National Museum (ERM)
Time: 10:30-12:30
Max number of participants: 30
Fee: no fee

The CLIMAREST project develops a digital toolbox to enhance the efficacy of marine ecological restoration. This workshop will engage the marine community to co-design the toolbox and contribute to maximising the impact of Mission Ocean. Designed for experienced practitioners, experts, and scientists, the event will include the toolbox presentation, a round-table dialogue, and open discussions. Key topics encompass current tools, their effectiveness, and strategies for collaborative success in reaching Mission Ocean targets, ensuring the workshop is a dynamic forum for advancing restoration actions. Which tools are you using? What are you missing?

Join us and contribute to restoring our Ocean!

Organizer(s): Elin Sild, University of Tartu

Date: 31 August 2024
Location: Oecologicum (Liivi 2, Tartu)
Time: 9:00-13:00
Max number of participants: 20
Fee: no fee

The aim of the ongoing urbanLIFEcircles project in Tartu is to increase biodiversity in the city, create a network of interconnected green areas, mitigate the effects of climate change and create a good living environment for everyone. In cooperation with the communities of Tartu, the urban environment is transformed into a better habitat for both urban nature and people. This workshop will present lessons learned from shifting to more biodiversity friendly maintenance in urban settings and methods for mapping urban biodiversity.

Organizer(s): Linda Laikre, Stockholm University; Philippine Vergeer, Wageningen University; Filippos A. Aravanopoulos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Date: 31 August 2024
Location: Oecologicum (Liivi 2, Tartu)
Time: Full day starting at 10:00
Max number of participants: 20
Fee: no fee

This workshop focuses on exploring how newly developed indicators for genetic diversity can aid in ecological restoration. Genetic diversity is critical to all biodiversity because it provides the basis for populations to genetically adapt and survive in rapidly changing environments. Maintaining and restoring genetic diversity is key for successful biodiversity conservation. The Convention on Biological Diversity puts increased focus on genetic diversity in its new Global Biodiversity Framework from December 2022. To support the implementation of this framework new indicators have been developed and are being tested. We will present the indicators and discuss their relevance for ecological restoration.