RestWet Erasmus+ Project: A Cross-Border Collaboration for Wetland Restoration

From 2023 to 2025, the RestWet Erasmus+ project brought together students, educators, and wetland professionals from Norway, Portugal, and France to engage in hands-on restoration and conservation of vit wetland ecosystems. Some of the partipants are members of WLI and MBP, and some were also part of the earlier BioWet Erasmus+ project.

The first exchange took place in Portugal in October 2023, hosted by EVOA – Espaço de Visitação e Observação de Aves, located in the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve. Students explored the estuary’s rich birdlife and habitats, participated in restoration activities, and learned about the importance of wetlands for migratory species. The programme included guided birdwatching, water quality testing, and discussions on the role of wetlands in climate resilience. Students also visited the salt pans and rice fields, gaining insight into traditional land use and its ecological impact.

In March 2024, Dokkadelta National Wetland Center in Norway hosted another exchange. Students engaged in restoration fieldwork at the Dokka Delta, a Ramsar Site and key stopover for migratory waterfowl. Activities included fish and insect sampling, birdwatching, and water quality testing. Participants also visited Langsua National Park and Hynna Nature Reserve, where they logged environmental data using advanced monitoring equipment.

Experts such as Anne Gri S. Henriksen from the Norwegian Ornithological Society highlighted the plight of species like the critically endangered lapwing, underscoring the urgency of restoration efforts. Students contributed to a public exhibition summarising the project’s findings and experiences.

The project’s final exchange took place in March 2025 at La Maison du Lac de Grand-Lieu, France’s largest natural lake. Students from Dokka Secondary School (Norway) and Benavente Secondary School (Portugal) joined French peers to explore the lake’s rich biodiversity and pressing ecological challenges. Guided by Audrey Cadou, Scientific Adviser at the wetland centre, participants learned about the lake’s seasonal dynamics, pollution issues, and invasive species threats. Restoration activities included fieldwork in wet meadows, species identification, and awareness-raising exercises aimed at engaging local communities and decision-makers.

Throughout the week, students examined chemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, and oxygen levels, gaining insight into the lake’s eutrophication and the impact of agricultural runoff. They also visited the Fishermen’s House museum and took a boat tour with local fishermen, learning about sustainable fishing practices and the lake’s protected status.

The programme continued with a coastal excursion to Pornic, where participants explored dune and cliff ecosystems and observed local efforts to promote environmental sustainability. The final day featured collaborative discussions with students from Briacé Agricultural College, focusing on ecosystem restoration, climate change, and personal contributions to conservation. The week concluded with a traditional Breton meal and reflections on the project’s impact.

RestWet exemplifies the power of international collaboration in tackling environmental challenges. By combining scientific inquiry, cultural exchange, and practical restoration, the project empowered young people to become stewards of wetland ecosystems and advocates for sustainable change.

See photos and read fuller reports of each visit, on the RestWet Erasmus+ project page.

This article was prepared by AI from the RestWet project page.