08/05/2026  At Science Day 2026 on 27 June 2026, peatland researchers from the University of Greifswald and the Greifswald Mire Centre will be spinning the wheel – the wheel of peatland knowledge – offering insights into their work on peatlands and climate protection.  At an own stand, they will demonstrate the role peatlands play for the climate, the environment and society, and why peatland research is important both locally and globally.

Visitors can find out more through these activities:

• spin the big (lucky) wheel of peatland knowledge to discover curious peatland facts and set the record straight on some peatland myths,

• peatland-match – find out which peatland plant can be turned into which product

• take a look at thousands of years of Earth’s history through the pollen puzzle and under the microscope

• find the nearest peatland in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on the ‘Peatland near you?’ map

The peatland researchers are happy to stamp your acquired peatland knowledge. There is a small reward for a full collection card.

The Science Day in Greifswald in 2026 will focus on “One Health” and, with lectures, guided tours and numerous hands-on activities, invites visitors to discover science and engage in conversation with researchers. At the same time, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences will be celebrating its 75th anniversary.

You can find more information on the website.

17/04/2026  The current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027 of the European Union channels €387 billion through national CAP Strategic Plans across the Member States. It creates more opportunities than previous funding periods for peatland protection, rewetting and paludiculture, as a new report issued within the project Paludi4all shows. However, the extent to which these opportunities can be realised in practice, still depends on how Member States reflect the CAP framework in their national strategic plans.

For the first time, the current CAP creates a clearer framework for peatland and paludiculture. It sets a minimum protection standard for peatland and wetland protection, addresses eligibility for direct payments and opens the door for eco-schemes to support paludiculture and peatland rewetting. Beyond this, the CAP toolbox offers further opportunities to advance paludiculture through agri-environment-climate schemes, investment support, cooperation, advice and training.

Direct payment eligibility remains a key challenge for paludiculture. Important paludiculture crops such as reed, cattail and sphagnum moss are still classified as non-agricultural products, and so far only six of the 27 Member States have implemented the new derogation rule that can maintain payment eligibility. Wet grassland paludiculture may still qualify as permanent grassland, but this status can be lost if non-fodder plants become dominant. For farmers and land managers, this creates ongoing uncertainty when considering a transition to paludiculture.

The report estimates, that, even so, the current CAP is becoming more supportive for peatlands and paludiculture, countries including Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom already provide useful examples. They already show, how different national instruments and policy approaches can work together within and beyond the CAP. Looking ahead, a policy mix could help support the transition. This would include positive incentives for paludiculture and peatland ecosystem services, while gradually phasing out support for drainage-based peatland use. Additional instruments, such as a CO₂ tax, could also help to improve planning security in the long-term.

17/04/2026  Long awaited and published today, the Federal Environment Ministry’s Palu Directive now provides clarity on funding for rewetting and sustainable peatland management. As part of the Natural Climate Protection Action Programme, it is set to promote peatland conservation measures across the country in agriculturally used peatlands over the coming years. A total of €1.75 billion has been earmarked for this purpose. According to the Greifswald Mire Centre, the programme thus offers, for the first time, a genuine opportunity for a breakthrough in scaled-up peatland climate protection in Germany. More detailed information can be found in the Ministry of the Environment’s press release and an assessments in the GMC press release.

14/04/2026  How can climate protection, renewable energy and regional economic growth be effectively combined? The MoorPower project will provide answers at the EnergieTag MV, right on site. On 25 April 2026, from 11:00 to 14:00, researchers from the University of Greifswald and the Greifswald Moor Centrum invite you to an information event in a peatland near Rostock. The meeting point is Bio-Rind Wellen GmbH in Spoitgendorf (near Plaaz, A19).

A new peatland photovoltaic plant will be presented on site, which combines solar energy with rewetting, thereby delivering a double climate benefit. The MoorPower project is investigating the technical, ecological and socio-economic effects of this approach over a three-year period. Weatherproof clothing and rubber boots or sturdy footwear are recommended for walking on the site. Further information about the event can be found here: https://www.energietag-mv.de/aktion/wie-sich-klimaschutz-erneuerbare-energien-und-regionale-wertschoepfung-verbinden-lassen-informationsveranstaltung-zu-moor-pv/

14/04/2026 Here are the latest topics in the latest issue of the Paludiculture Newsletter:

• Paludiculture projects – who is doing what where in Germany? A study has compiled 146 projects from the past 25 years to provide an overview

• Water buffalo for peatlands – 70 interested participants gathered at a workshop on water buffalo husbandry on wetland areas in Brandenburg

• Towering insights for paludiculture – Dr. Christian Brümmer explains why there will soon be many more greenhouse gas measurements on wetlands in our interview

• Until 2045 – what should peatland climate protection look like until and after Germany’s target year for climate neutrality? A workshop report

Plus more topics and current dates in the event calendar.

We enjoy staying in touch with our readers. What topics would you like to see covered in the paludiculture newsletter? What feedback do you have for us? Feel free to email us at communication@greifswaldmoor.de.