The 5th RESTORE4Cs General Assembly took place from 19-21 November 2024, hosted by Tour du Valat in the beautiful region of Camargue, France. The event brought together project partners and stakeholders to review the project’s progress, set future directions, and engage in meaningful discussions about the restoration and conservation of European wetlands.
Day 1: Progress Reports and New Initiatives
The assembly kicked off with a warm welcome by Raphaël Billé, Programme Director at Tour du Valat, followed by an overview of the project’s mid-term evaluation, which was conducted in September 2024. The discussions focused on refining the project’s goals for the remainder of its term.
LifeWatch ERIC‘s Madeira Scauri, leader of Work Package 8 (WP8), presented an update on the second phase of the project’s communication strategy. A key highlight was the teaser for the upcoming Camargue Case Pilot trailer and the much-anticipated launch of the RESTORE4Cs Serious Game, slated for release in December 2024. WP8 leader also introduced plans for a Summer School aimed at policy makers and the scientific community, which will further the project’s educational and outreach objectives.
Later, Chris Rostron, Coordinator of MedWet,, presented the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative, emphasising its alignment with RESTORE4Cs’ objectives. Santiago Suarez-O’Solan, leader of WP2, then outlined the concept validation for the ECoP platform, marking an important step in digital tools for wetland restoration.
Then the WP5 session, led by Vertigo Lab‘s Clémentine Anglada and Ecologic Institute‘s Manuel Lago, presented the results from workshops with stakeholders at the project’s Case Pilots. This session included an in-depth discussion on the Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) criteria and the assessment of social acceptability for wetland restoration initiatives.
The afternoon saw updates from WP4, presented by University of Valencia‘s Antonio Camacho (WP4 leader), alongside Miguel Cabrera-Brufau and Benjamin Misteli from the University of Barcelona and WasserCluster Lunz . They shared details of the extensive database of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes for European coastal wetlands, which is being created to support decision-making and restoration actions across various wetland types and conservation statuses.
The first day concluded with a look at the next steps for WP3, presented by Carmela Marangi from CNR, with a special focus on the project’s modelling framework and an upcoming modelling meeting in Rome, scheduled for January 2025.
Day 2: Collaborations and Technical Insights
Day two of RESTORE4Cs 5th General Assembly began with a combined session on Work Packages 6 and 7, led by Christoph Schröder from the University of Malaga | ETC-UMA‘ and Anis Guelmami from Tour du Valat. This session featured a presentation on the assessment of the extent, state, and GHG profile of European wetlands, with contributions from Anna Brand (Remote Sensing Solutions) on information layers. The team also showcased the project’s Toolbox, with the contribution of Università del Salento‘s Martina Pulieri and University of Malaga | ETC-UMA’s Gabriel Martorell about Data Portal and the Interactive Platform, designed to provide users with key tools for wetland restoration and monitoring.
Eleftheria Kampa, leader of WP1 from Ecologic Institute, led a session on the policy dimensions of the project, outlining plans for a European science-policy workshop and the development of policy briefs aimed at influencing future wetland policies.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to collaboration with Sister Projects, including REWET, with a virtual session led by Vanessa Ferreira, REWET’s coordinator. The session highlighted the importance of cross-project collaboration and outlined the operational steps to strengthen these partnerships and maximise the impact of the projects.
The day closed with a wrap-up session led by Bruna Oliveira and Enrickson Varsori from Universidade de Aveiro (WP9), summarising key outcomes from the discussions and providing a roadmap for the next stages of the project.
Day 3: Field Visits and Local Insights
The final day of RESTORE4Cs 5th General Assembly was dedicated to field visits, allowing participants to explore the project’s local Case Pilot sites in Camargue. Attendees visited the Marais du Cassaïre and Marais du Vigueirat, where they saw firsthand where the project’s sampling and filming efforts for the upcoming documentary took place. They were also treated to a rare glimpse of the iconic Camargue horses.
The visit continued with a tour of the scenic Salins de Giraud and Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, deepening participants’ understanding of the unique wetland ecosystems in the region. The day concluded with a trip to the historic town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Looking Ahead
The 5th RESTORE4Cs General Assembly was a resounding success, providing a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and forward planning. With key milestones in the project’s communication, scientific research, and policy engagement, participants left the assembly energised and ready for the next stages of the project.
Stay tuned for updates on the RESTORE4Cs Serious Game, the Summer School, and more as the project continues to advance its mission to restore and protect Europe’s vital wetlands.
