From Monday 12th to Friday 16th May, the WaterLANDS project brought together partners, artists, scientists, policy experts and site coordinators from across Europe for its annual General Assembly in Leeds, UK.
Hosted by the University of Leeds, the week-long gathering was a rich mix of discussions, workshops, and field trips centered on peatland restoration, community engagement, and the future of wetland ecosystems.
Day 1: Art and Restoration
Monday opened with an artist-focused day, where the WaterLANDS artists-in-residence met to discuss their process, progress and plans at the mid-way point of their four-year residency. Participants reflected on how art supports restoration narratives and fosters meaningful engagement within local communities.
Days 2 and 3: General Assembly Sessions
The formal assembly kicked off on Tuesday and Wednesday (13–14 May), with two full days of interactive sessions, working groups and deep dives into Action Sites. Key themes included:
- Lessons learned from engagement activities across sites
- The role of art in restoration
- Information gathering for policy outreach
- Decision support systems for wetland restoration
- Conflict resolution and integration processes.
The programme featured parallel sessions, plenary discussions, and time for informal networking. During session breaks, partners enjoyed a series of video screenings from Action Sites, offering immersive insights into on-the-ground restoration efforts.
Day 4: Field Trip to Dove Stone
Thursday’s field visit took us to the dramatic moorlands of Dove Stone in the Peak District, where participants explored one of the UK’s most ambitious blanket bog restoration projects. The visit highlighted how science, policy, and community action converge in landscapes shaped by history and hope. Attendees left inspired by the scale and dedication of the work underway.
Day 5: Legacy Workshop on Peatland Data Standards
The week concluded on Friday 16th May with a legacy workshop hosted by Wetlands International and the University of Leeds. This hands-on session explored metadata standards for peatland monitoring, focusing on how to improve data interoperability and long-term impact through FAIR principles.
