The annual Auenökologischer Workshop (Floodplain Ecology Workshop) was held at the University of Kassel, Germany from 19-21 March. The event was co-organised by SpongeBoost’s coordinator, Mathias Scholz (UFZ), and brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders – including scientists, planners, practitioners, and representatives from various levels of government and local authorities.

The informal structure of the workshop encouraged open dialogue and exchange across all professional levels – a feature in a field where responsibilities and approval processes are often complex and not clearly defined.

The workshop aimed to build mutual understanding among the diverse actors involved in floodplain revitalisation and ecological flood protection. Participants presented both well-established methods and emerging approaches, sharing results and strategies ranging from tried-and-tested techniques to innovative solutions – all geared towards enhancing ecological resilience in the face of climate extremes and improving biodiversity.

The event provided a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and collaboration, underlining the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation in tackling the challenges of ecological restoration and climate adaptation.