Wadden Sea educators and interpreters strengthened collaboration at annual workshop

From 5–7 November, educators and interpreters from across the Wadden Sea gathered in Denmark for the annual workshop of the International Wadden Sea School (IWSS), organised by Naturcenter Tønnisgård and Mit Vadehav, supported by the IWSS coordination. The workshop brought together 34 representatives from 29 visitor centres that operate along the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and play a key role in helping visitors learn about and appreciate this unique coastal ecosystem.

During the workshop, participants explored the Tøndermarsken and the coastal town Højer as well as the island of Rømø. There, the group engaged in discussions with local stakeholders from Rømø harbour and the fisheries sector. Sacha Dench, internationally renowned conservationist and swan ambassador, shared her story following the migratory route of the Bewick’s swan from Arctic Russia to England.

An overview of this year’s IWSS activities highlighted the successful completion of several new resources designed to communicate the Wadden Sea’s Outstanding Universal Value, such as the roll-out guide for beach finds and the species profiles of migratory birds and underwater life. These initiatives, developed and refined through previous IWSS workshops, exemplify the effective co-creation processes within the network.

The workshop centred around the different ways people understand and define “nature” and uncovered that even in this group of nature enthusiasts the personal definitions of the word itself varied strongly.

The event once again demonstrated the power of collaboration in fostering shared learning and ensuring that the Wadden Sea’s message is communicated with consistency, creativity, and care.