Griston Bog, one of the  Wetlanders pilot sites, recently welcomed an international delegation as part of a knowledge exchange visit focused on peatland restoration and conservation.

Held on Tuesday, 26 May, the visit brought together experts, researchers, community representatives and practitioners from Ireland, Lithuania and Germany to exchange knowledge, share experiences and explore practical approaches to restoring and managing peatlands.

The Lithuanian delegation represented four Living Labs:

• Praviršulis Tyrelis
• Žaliasis Raistas (Dabravolė)
• Bukta Forest
• Šimonių Giria

They were joined by representatives from the Foundation for Peatland Restoration and Conservation, the State Forest Enterprise of the Republic of Lithuania, Vytautas Magnus University, the State Service for Protected Areas under the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, the community association "Around Žasliai", and two Lithuanian farmers actively involved in peatland management.

Additional international expertise was provided by Jonathan Etzold, Senior Wetlands Expert with NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union) and National Coordinator for LIFE Multi Peat, alongside researchers from the Data Science Institute (DSI) at the University of Galway.

During the visit, representatives from Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment CLG and Ballyhoura Development welcomed the group and presented the history of Griston Bog, outlining its restoration journey and its role within the Wetlanders project. Discussions focused on restoration techniques, biodiversity conservation, water management, community engagement and the importance of international collaboration in protecting Europe's peatlands.

The day also provided an opportunity to showcase the progress being made at the Griston Bog pilot site while encouraging the exchange of ideas and practical experiences between the different Living Labs. Such collaboration is a key element of the Wetlanders project, helping partners test innovative approaches and learn from one another to improve peatland restoration across Europe.

This visit highlighted the value of international cooperation in addressing shared environmental challenges. By bringing together researchers, practitioners, land managers and local communities, the Wetlanders project continues to strengthen knowledge exchange and support more effective, long-term peatland restoration across Europe.

Learn More About Wetlanders Project