Prof. Isabelle Kauffmann and Prof. Kofi Johnson attended the European partner meeting PEATconnects in Thurles, Ireland last week. The meeting brought a group of international peatlands experts to work together to unlock opportunities that ensure peatlands area protected, restored and sustainably managed now and for our future. The main message was ‘to ensure the conservation and restoration of peatlands inherited from our ancestors for future generations.’
Prof. Dr. Kofi Johnson presented the research results on the importance of indicator species of healthy peatlands such as Bog cotton.
The field visit at the Cabragh wetlands reserve was inspiring for the role it plays in educating children to become earth literate’ and how the natural world works as a whole eco-system. A highlight of the fieldtrip to Cabragh was the poem by Drew Dellinger that stuck with all partners; “what did you do when you knew?” At that moment, the group felt proud to be working together investing energy and spirit in our precious peatland ecosystems.
On the second day, options were discussed to generate alternative income sources from wet peatlands, in comparison to traditional business models. One potential solution presented itself during the field visit on day 2, in the form of water mint, which can be used to produce peppermints. Larry Connell spoke on the huge potential of paludiculture in peatlands for the biobased building industry.
At the end of 2 days of fruitful meetings, visits to poetic sites and cultural discoveries, the consortium was able to define the next steps of their collaboration for the months to come. On behalf of Peatland university prof. Isabelle Kauffmann delivered a closing remark on the peatland university ambitions to “train future generations of farmers concerned with more sustainable practices for them and for peatlands!” Follow us on social media to learn more soon!
