Students wrap up Wadden Sea World Heritage Summer School with insights and innovation

From 18 to 29 September, the 2025 edition of the trilateral summer school immersed in the unique landscape of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site. Sixteen Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students from across the Wadden Sea countries and beyond explored the region’s ecology, conservation strategies, sustainable development, and management challenges. Through a blend of expert-led lectures, immersive fieldwork, and collaborative problem-solving, participants tackled the complex issues facing this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. The programme culminated at the annual Wadden Sea Day on 28 August, where the students presented their findings to the wider Wadden Sea community.

“This second edition of the summer school has been a great success,” said Anja Domnick, co-organiser from the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat. “The enthusiastic feedback shows we not only deepened knowledge on Wadden Sea conservation, management, and governance, but also created valuable connections between emerging scientists and seasoned professionals. Our hope is that this network will grow into a community of future guardians of the world’s natural heritage.”

In a video clip, the students captured their days around Ribe, Denmark, and on Sylt, Germany. The clip was shared during the Wadden Sea Day and can be viewed below:

The Wadden Sea World Heritage Summer School 2025 was a joint initiative of Alfred Wegener Institute, the FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, and the Waddenacademie. It was supported by the Trilateral Programming Committee on Wadden Sea Research, the Danish Wadden Sea National Park, the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park Authority, and the Partnership Hub within the framework of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation.