REWET Consortium Meeting in Vienna

From April 23–25, 2025, the REWET consortium gathered in Vienna for a three-day meeting hosted by the BOKU University in Vienna. The event brought together project partners from across Europe to share progress, align future activities, and strengthen collaboration in our shared mission of restoring and managing European wetlands.

Day 1 & 2: Presentations, Updates & Discussions

The first two days of the meeting took place at BOKU’s conference facilities and were dedicated to presentations, work package updates, and in-depth discussions. Each Open Lab (The Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, Italy and Portugal) presented recent developments, challenges, and data insights. The meeting agenda also included strategic sessions on cross-cutting themes such as policy, social aspects, stakeholder engagement, biodiversity and carbon fluxes, as well as preparations for upcoming deliverables and milestones.

Open and constructive discussions helped clarify tasks, identify synergies, and foster new ideas for collaborative work going forward. The atmosphere was highly engaged and collegial, reflecting the strong commitment of all partners to the success of the REWET project.

Day 3: Excursion to the Open Lab Marchegg

The third day of the meeting was dedicated to fieldwork and practical insights. The group visited the Austrian Open Lab at the Morava River wetland in Marchegg, where restoration and monitoring activities are ongoing. Participants were welcomed by representatives from viadonau and WWF Austria, who shared valuable perspectives on river management, conservation challenges, and collaborative efforts in the region.

Following the presentations, WWF led a guided tour through the nature reserve, allowing participants to observe firsthand the dynamic wetland landscape and its biodiversity. The visit concluded at the Eddy Covariance measuring station in the Open Lab Marchegg, where the REWET project is supporting monitoring greenhouse gas fluxes of the ecosystem.

Cultural Program & Networking

On Thursday afternoon participants enjoyed a guided city tour through Vienna's historic centre, offering insights into the city's rich cultural and architectural heritage. In the evenings, networking continued over three delightful dinners.

Conclusion

The REWET consortium meeting in Vienna was a great success — professionally productive, socially enriching, and beautifully hosted. We thank all participants for their contributions, and especially the BOKU team for their outstanding organisation and warm hospitality. The inspiring exchange of ideas and experiences will undoubtedly strengthen the next phases of the project as we continue working together toward more resilient and biodiverse wetlands across Europe.