Free Flow 2024, an international conference focused on protecting and restoring free-flowing rivers, brought together policy makers, river managers, ecologists, researchers, students, and industry leaders. With rivers under threat and freshwater biodiversity in decline, the need for solutions to build climate resilience and safeguard rivers in a changing environment is more pressing than ever.

The event saw the participation of 450 attendees from around the world. Among the key stakeholders were governments, researchers, NGOs, and representatives from the European Commission. These diverse participants collaborated to address the critical challenges facing our river ecosystems.

Paul Brotherton, from Wetlands International Europe, represented SpongeBoost in a parallel session on Nature-based Solutions, where he gave a presentation on “Natural Sponges: Wetland Solutions to Protect Against Floods & Droughts.” The session highlighted the importance of wetlands in mitigating the impacts of floods and droughts, underscoring the vital role of nature-based solutions in climate resilience.