Following three previous seminars on Hallig Langeneß—in 2023 (resulting in a book on the East Atlantic Flyway), in 2024 (marking “50 Years Schutzstation Wattenmeer”), and in 2025 (celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park)—VISION 52, Schutzstation Wattenmeer, and the WWF Wadden Sea Office are organising a fourth seminar in 2026, once again in conjunction with the Brent Goose Days (“Ringelganstage”).
The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the storm surge of 3 January 1976, a turning point that fundamentally changed perspectives on coastal protection and nature conservation in the Wadden Sea. It contributed to a shift away from large-scale land reclamation towards recognising the ecological value of tidal flats, ultimately leading to the establishment of national parks and the designation of the Wadden Sea as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, new alliances between coastal engineers, conservationists and local communities have emerged. At the same time, new and shared challenges have become apparent:
However, new and shared challenges have emerged:
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- How can the Wadden Sea and other key tidal flat systems along the East Atlantic Flyway be preserved in the face of accelerating sea level rise due to climate change?
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- How can the global “30×30” target be achieved by 2030 by establishing a coherent network of effectively protected areas along the flyway?
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- How can new coalitions between local communities, economic stakeholders and conservation actors be built to complete this “string of pearls” of protected sites?
To address these questions, the seminar brings together experts and practitioners from seven countries along the Flyway—including conservationists, scientists, coastal engineers, administrators, and communicators—who can contribute experience, insights, and strategies for building effective alliances.
At the end of the seminar, we will have a clear understanding of how far we have come in developing a second East Atlantic Flyway book, focusing on future perspectives and visions for the various crucial sites along the East Atlantic Flyway.
Here you find the final programme for the seminar
Part of the programme will be the participation at the opening day of the 27th Brentgoose Days (Ringelganstage)