On 1st February 2026, our partners at the WaterLANDS Italian Action Site, We are here Venice, in collaboration with the Interreg IT–HR GREW project of the IUAV University of Venice, hosted an event in celebration of World Wetlands Day (2nd February 2026).

The event took place at Lazzaretto Nuovo, an island located in the northern part of the Venice Lagoon. This island, steeped in history, is now an eco-museum, Ecomuseum of the Venetian Lazzaretti, and features the lagoon's unique salt marshes (barene) around the perimeter.

Image 1: Participants looking out over salt marshes. Photo credit: We are here Venice

The event began with a presentation by We are here Venice outlining the objectives and actions of their work and the WaterLANDS project, followed by a presentation by the GREW project.

Participants learned about the context, history, and the mission of the Ecomuseo dei Lazzaretti Veneziani, and were taken on a guided exploration along the Salt Marsh Trail (Il Sentiero delle Barene). The tour provided insights into the salt marshes’ functions, the main species inhabiting the marshes, and the fundamental role of this ecosystem for the safeguard of the Venice Lagoon.

Further to this, participants learned about the main challenges currently affecting the health of the salt marshes and the progress achieved to date through the ongoing conservation actions. The event was a great success, raising wider awareness of the WaterLANDS project and the important work being undertaken at Venice Lagoon.

Image 2: Participants inspecting plants at the salt marshes. Photo credit: We are here Venice