08/07/2025  During an off-site cabinet meeting of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state government with representatives of the federal government at the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Representation in Berlin on July 7, 2026, Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and Minister President Manuela Schwesig presented the University of Greifswald with a grant notification for the expansion of peatland research. Since July 2026, the Federal Ministry for the Environment has been funding the research project with a total of approximately 14 million Euros. The funding lays the foundation for the further development of peatland research and the establishment of the Greifswald Mire Institute (GMI). For more information, see the press release of the Federal Ministry for the Environment  and the press release of the University of Greifswald.

06/07/2026 The Greifswald Mire Centre has published the second issue of the Paludiculture Newsletter this year. Out key topics featured in this edition include:

• Refreshing: Peatlands and Beer

• Dual climate benefit: Peatlands and Solar Power

• Debunking common misconceptions: Interview on mosquitoes and peatlands

Additional materials comprise a new fact sheet examining relationships of peatlands and water resources, information about the current workshop series for professionals an the aftermovie from conference RRR2025 is also accessible online.

Plus more topics and current dates in the event calendar.

We enjoy staying in touch with our readers. What topics would you like to see covered in the paludiculture newsletter? What feedback do you have for us? Feel free to email us at communication@greifswaldmoor.de.

The newsletter is provided by the PaludiZentrale project of Thünen Institut, Universität Greifswald and Succow foundation. It is financially supported by the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs (BMLEH) through the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR).

29/06/2026 For ten days in June, twenty early-career scientists from Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, many from PaludiNet projects, came together for the first Paludiculture Summer School, hosted by the PaludiCentral project, a collaboration between the Thünen Institute and University of Greifswald and Michael Succow Foundation, both partners in the Greifswald Mire Centre.

Beginning in Braunschweig and concluding in Greifswald, the summer school offered a diverse programme covering a spectrum of paludiculture related topics. Participants explored the fundamentals of organic soils, peatland hydrology, biodiversity, greenhouse gas measurements, and the socioeconomic and technical dimensions of paludiculture. Theoretical sessions were complemented by lab visits and field excursions, providing opportunities to deepen one’s own understanding and to put knowledge into practice. Furthermore, the poster session facilitated an in-depth exchange not only amongst the participants, but also with researchers from the Thünen Institute who were taking part in the presentation (link to interviews). Participants left the summer school with peat-stained fingers and with new questions on the placement of Eddy covariance towers and challenges involved in measuring hydraulic conductivity.

The excursions provided the opportunity to visit a range of sites within the PaludiNet network. Highlights included the MOOSland site and witnessing a sphagnum harvest; the RoNNi project, where preparations for Typha planting were underway; the reed plantation of the PaludiMV project; an established Typha cultivation site in Neukalen; several MoMoK (Peatland monitoring program for climate protection) sites; and, finally, a near-natural fen in the Peene Valley, a potential future habitat for aquatic warbler translocation efforts. These visits brought seminar room concepts to life and demonstrated the diversity of approaches currently being developed across the paludiculture landscape.

Learning was balanced with lively discussions, an interview, interactive games, role-playing exercises, and a visit to the peatland library. Participants were also given space to think creatively about the future of paludiculture and share their hopes, dreams, and visions for “Paludi Futures”. Ideas ranged from advances in paludi biomass value chains with magical sorting machines to large-scale immersive paludiculture parks, local infrastructure revolutions, and anchoring paludiculture in our social conscience with the paludi barbie in waders, and seeing peatland futures from the perspective of a dragonfly. In its own small way, the summer school became a first step toward these futures. By bringing together the expertise, curiosity and passion from different universities, organisations, and countries, it created new networks and inspired fresh ideas, questions, and collaborations. Friendships were formed, perspectives broadened, and a new generation of peatland professionals left with renewed motivation and optimism for the future development of paludiculture.

28/06/2026  Wet and rewetted peatlands play a key role in making landscapes more resilient to increasing periods of drought and extreme weather events. Although total precipitation levels remain similar to previous levels, they are distributed more unevenly. Extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and long periods of drought are on the rise.

A recent information paper explains in detail how peatlands regulate the landscape’s water balance, which factors determine their water storage capacity, and what role rewetting plays in flood control and climate protection. It also outlines the conditions under which rewetting can be successfully implemented and the challenges involved.

Peatland restoration is essential for climate protection: To achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2045, approximately 80,000 hectares of peatlands would need to be restored annually. In particular, the removal of artificial drainage systems is crucial to this effort.

16/06/2026  What can be produced from wetland biomass — and how can sustainable value chains be created from it? The EDELNASS project presents its findings on these questions after three years of research. The closing workshop on June 23, 2026, at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy will focus on the use of wetland biomass for paper, basic chemicals, and other bio-based products. Researchers will present their findings and discuss with industry stakeholders the opportunities and challenges for the future use of peatland and marsh biomass.
In addition to the project results, the focus will be on exchange and looking ahead: What next steps are needed to ensure that innovative products and value chains derived from wetland biomass make the leap into practical application? The event starts at 11 a.m. (reception at 10 a.m.) and ends at 4 p.m. Afterward, interested attendees can tour ATB laboratories and facilities. Participation is possible both in person and online.
Further information and registration: https://doodle.com/sign-up-sheet/participate/e4f89709-ceed-45bc-981b-79deb00dc6f6/select