The first ARTEMIS Peer-to-Peer learning session, hosted by Lisa Wiatschka and Pere Giralt Dunjó (BAX) on February 6th, gathered key stakeholders and experts to exchange insights on stakeholder engagement and awareness raising in ecosystem restoration. As the first of seven planned sessions, it serves as a platform to support the four ARTEMIS pilot sites by advancing knowledge in restoration, engagement, and policy development.
Following the introduction of the ARTEMIS Pilot Sites by Arnaud Terrisse (Plan Bleu, lead Partner), a roundtable discussion took place featuring expert insights on marine restoration and conservation. Joined online five experts from different fields, including Richard Lilley from the University of Groningen, Wietse van der Werft from the Sea Ranger Service, Sahar Stevenson-Jones from SER-Europe, Sarah Vanden Eede from WWF, and Paul Leadbitter from North Pennines National Landscape.
Science & Communication: We need to marry both worlds!
Richard J. Lilley (University of Groningen) opened the session on the topic of “Communicating Science for Advocacy & Action.” He emphasized the importance of engaging key decision-makers, supporting community-led initiatives, leveraging branding and partnerships, and utilizing visual media to ensure effective seagrass restoration. The establishment of the European Seagrass Restoration Alliance, of which Lilley is a co-founder, serves as a collaborative platform recently created to support and promote seagrass restoration efforts across Europe. This initiative aims to foster collaboration, while consistent communication ensures greater awareness and impact.
Lilley emphasized the need for a well-connected community to collaborate effectively and scale up restoration efforts, starting with baselining carbon and biodiversity data and building capacity. He also highlighted the importance of balancing strong communication with scientific rigor, warning against approaches that either lack scientific backing but communicate well or are scientifically robust but poorly communicated.
Richard J. Lilley
“We need to marry both worlds!”, he says. “We need to be better connected as a community, to better collaborate as a community, so that we can drive forward concepts like the need for baselining carbon data, the need for baselining biodiversity data, and ultimately,” continues Lilley, “the need to build capacity within our community to actually deliver restoration at scale.”
Wietse van der Werf, founder and CEO of the Sea Ranger Service, shared several key insights about the organization’s activities and growth. The Sea Ranger Service is an innovative social enterprise based in the Netherlands with dual missions: restoring ocean biodiversity (with the goal of restoring 1 million hectares of ocean biodiversity by 2040) and training young people for maritime careers (with an aim to train 20,000 young people for careers in the maritime sector).
Wietse Van der Werf speaking at the ARTEMIS first Peer-to-Peer learning session
Van der Werf’s philosophy, “Empowering Young People as Stewards of the Marine Environment,” reflects his belief that effective environmental solutions must include and empower diverse communities, particularly those often overlooked in traditional conservation efforts. “By approaching ocean protection and restoration through the lens of youth training,” explained Van der Werf, “we’ve opened up huge opportunities. This unique perspective has allowed us to build relationships with unlikely partners, aligning our environmental goals with the needs of diverse industries and government agencies.”
Sahar Stevenson-Jones (SER-Europe) contributed to “Marine Restoration Collaboration & Standardization.” She emphasized the need for scientists to adopt a more practical and courageous approach when stepping beyond their academic or technical circles. While they excel in research and peer communication, there is a growing need for them to actively engage policymakers, industries, and communities. “Being practical means translating complex scientific concepts into actionable solutions that resonate with real-world stakeholders – warned Stevenson-Jones. Being brave involves stepping out of comfort zones to advocate for change, challenge established norms, and collaborate across disciplines and sectors to drive impactful action on pressing issues like ecological restoration”.
Sahar Stevenson-Jones speaking at the ARTEMIS first Peer-to-Peer learning session
Sarah Vanden Eede (WWF), during the round table, focused on “Deep Sea Mining Advocacy & North Sea Protection,” highlighting WWF Belgium’s projects, including their efforts to raise awareness about deep-sea mining—the extraction of valuable minerals (such as polymetallic nodules, nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and manganese (Mn)) from the ocean floor at depths, typically from hundreds to thousands meters in the seabed. WWF Belgium closely monitors the activities of Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR), which holds exploration rights over a 76,728 km² area in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The organization warns that deep-sea mining could have devastating impacts on marine ecosystems and biodiversity, advocating for a global moratorium. Through workshops and collaborations with businesses and organizations, WWF Belgium aims to protect vulnerable and little-known marine ecosystems (as the deep sea is). “Restoration doesn’t have to be an uphill battle – she concluded – it can be a ‘downhill’ process if we collectively decide to prioritize it. With the data, methods, and solutions in hand, it’s time to move beyond discussions and into implementation. As said, it’s a matter of choices. Let’s choose wisely.”
Sarah Vanden Eede (WWF) speaking at the ARTEMIS first Peer-To-Peer learning Session
Why Having a Ready-to-Work Product in Restoration Matters
Paul Leadbitter (North Pennines National Landscape) spoke about “Private Sector Engagement – Learnings from the Peatlands World,” sharing insights from the North Pennines National Landscape Peatland Programme, which has restored 50,000 hectares of peatland over 19 years, raised over £40 million, and pioneered initiatives such as the UK Peatland Code for carbon credits. The program has also implemented projects like Pennine PeatLIFE and Nature for Climate, demonstrating successful landscape-scale restoration through innovative funding and collaboration.
Leadbitter also addressed the challenge of reversing the negative perception of wetlands and peatlands, transforming them into valuable resources that attract private funding. The Great North Bog initiative exemplifies large-scale peatland restoration, delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits, funded more and more by private companies. Reflecting on his experiences, Leadbitter shared, “I have a background in geography; I am not used to selling—it was not my background. I’ve learned that business and science speak totally different languages, and this is a barrier”.
Paul Leadbitter
“Corporations, especially those focused on CSR, are showing interest in restoration efforts such as peatland rewetting. However, the carbon credit market faces challenges, including its infancy, lack of clear rules, and ethical concerns, which often lead to delays,” he advised. “Instead, value restoration efforts for their broader benefits to nature. Think creatively when approaching the market, but avoid focusing solely on carbon credits.” Finally, having a ready-to-work product is crucial to seize opportunities effectively.
