CANAPE partners meet in Germany
Presentations were made on the progress made at each of the pilot sites over the summer. All the pilot sites are progressing according to plan. The discussions focused on measuring the Green-House Gas savings achieved by the project, and demonstrating the benefits of healthy wetlands to the wider public. Selling the benefits of paludiculture to the farming community was also a key topic.
Whilst staying in Germany the partnership was given a tour of the Naturpark Dümmer. This included talks on the management of the area. Topics ranged from management of water levels, to predators, water pollution and destruction of reed edges by geese. These are common issues faced by conservation managers across Europe, and the presentation triggered many conversations on these issues.
Explaining discussing management issues in the Naturpark Dümmer
Two workshops were held during the event, one focused on the physical restoration pilots, and one focused on products and public engagement.
In the first a talk was given to the group on Green House Gas Emission measuring by Dr Bärbel Tiemeyer of the Thünen Institute. She explained the existing gaps in the data around emissions from peatlands. This has helped the partnership improve its understanding of the carbon savings and costs of different approaches in wetland management. At the same time, there is a better understanding of the uncertainties in current measurements.
In the second Aldert van Weeren (Wetland Products) gave a talk on his experience in developing cattail into marketable products. He is an entrepreneur who is developing a range of paludiculture produced from Cattail grown near his home in North-East Germany. He demonstrated his range of Cattail (Typha) based building materials. These included chipboard like panels, and insulation materials. Using a blowtorch he demonstrated the impressive fire resistance of these products.
His enthusiasm was contagious and he presented a clear vision for Paludiculture in the future.
A small amount of free time available allowed us to enjoy one of the regions particular natural spectacles. In October the Deipholz district becomes a temporary home to tens thousands of migrating cranes, many of which roost on the nearby Rehdener Geestmoor.
Below - Sunset on the Dümmer Meer.
