Each January, counts of migratory waterbirds take place in all key wetland sites along the East Atlantic Flyway. The year 2023 represents the 4th time that these efforts are intensified to cover major wetland sites in almost all countries belonging to this flyway, therefore being called ‘total counts’.

In 2022, empowering the youth to take action in conservation has been a key focus of the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, with activities not only in the Wadden Sea, but also on the global scale.

In the framework of the Partnership Hub project “Sharing and developing knowledge to strengthen the contribution of shipping to a well-protected Wadden Sea World Heritage”, NGOs, ports, ship owners and the Wadden Sea Forum work together.

All of us here at the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat would like to take this opportunity to send you and yours Season´s Greetings and our best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

After the conclusion of the Trilateral Youth Conference in September 2022, young adults from Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands continued with their exchange to increase youth’s influence on the conservation of the Wadden Sea.

The 19 site managers came from four nature reserves and national parks that make up the World Heritage Site.

The trilateral Wadden Sea is a highly dynamic area, providing shelter from predators and rich feeding grounds for a host of fish species.

In November and December 2022 two workshops on nature- and climate-friendly ferries took place in Leer and Oldenburg (Lower Saxony). Experts and stakeholders from the national park authority, environmental NGOs, water police, academia, tourism, as well as commercial and recreational shipping came together to discuss sustainable ferries in the Wadden Sea.

Harbour seals are one of the most iconic species in the Wadden Sea and among the top predators in this dynamic ecosystem. Their protection is regulated by the Agreement on the Conservation of Seals in the Wadden Sea.

The Trilateral Dark Sky Initiative is an example of the intensive involvement of partners and the enlargement of the existing Wadden Sea network.