Griston Bog, one of the flagship pilot sites of the Wetlanders project, recently welcomed an international delegation of peatland experts, researchers, land managers and community representatives for a transnational knowledge exchange focused on peatland restoration and conservation.

Held on 26 May, the visit brought together participants from Ireland, Lithuania and Germany, providing a valuable opportunity to examine restoration work on the ground at Griston Bog, owned by Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment, while sharing experiences, challenges and best practices from across Europe.

The Lithuanian delegation represented four Wetlanders Living Labs — Praviršulis Tyrelis, Žaliasis Raistas (Dabravolė), Bukta Forest and Šimonių Giria — and included representatives from the Foundation for Peatland Restoration and Conservation, the State Forest Enterprise of the Republic of Lithuania, Vytautas Magnus University, the State Service for Protected Areas under the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, the community association “Around Žasliai”, and Lithuanian farmers actively involved in peatland management.

The visit also included international expertise from Jonathan Etzold, Senior Wetlands Expert with NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union) and National Coordinator for LIFE Multi Peat, alongside researchers from the Data Science Institute (DSI) at the University of Galway.

Representatives from Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment CLG and Ballyhoura Development welcomed the delegation to Griston Bog and outlined the site's restoration journey, ecological importance and growing role within the Wetlanders project. The visit showcased the progress being achieved at the site and demonstrated how Griston Bog is serving as a practical learning environment where restoration approaches can be tested, observed and shared with partners across Europe.

Discussions throughout the day focused on peatland restoration techniques, biodiversity enhancement, hydrological management, community engagement and the challenges of balancing environmental protection with local land use needs. By experiencing restoration efforts firsthand at Griston Bog, participants were able to compare approaches, exchange ideas and identify solutions that can be adapted to different peatland landscapes and contexts.

A key outcome of the visit was the opportunity for mutual learning between projects. The Wetlanders transnational partnership brings together diverse expertise from multiple countries, creating a unique platform where scientists, practitioners, policymakers, communities and landowners can learn directly from one another. These exchanges help ensure that innovative solutions and practical lessons developed in one Living Lab can inform and strengthen restoration activities elsewhere.

For Griston Bog, hosting the international delegation reinforced its importance not only as a restoration site, but also as a hub for collaboration, demonstration and knowledge sharing. The exchange highlighted how local restoration actions can contribute to broader European ambitions for peatland recovery, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

As Wetlanders continues to connect Living Labs and stakeholders across Europe, visits such as this demonstrate the power of transnational cooperation in addressing shared environmental challenges. By fostering collaboration and enabling partners to learn from real-world experiences, the project is helping to build lasting knowledge, strengthen restoration practices and support the long-term protection and recovery of Europe's peatlands.

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