The FREIIA Winter School 1, held on February 17 & 24, 2025, provided an interactive platform for practitioners, researchers, and students to explore key aspects of protected area management and island sustainability. The online seminar series, facilitated by Dr. Cormac Walsh (Germany), was designed to foster knowledge exchange among FREIIA partners and broader conservation stakeholders.
A Collaborative Learning Experience
The event brought together 11 participants, including:
- 5 representatives from FREIIA partners in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.
- 6 external participants from Germany and Ireland.
- 5 practitioners in nature conservation and protected area management.
- 6 representatives from academic institutions.
Objectives of the Winter School
The primary aims of the seminar series were to:
- Provide practical guidance for protected area managers and stakeholders on their roles in conservation and island sustainability.
- Facilitate experience-sharing and learning among FREIIA islands on protected area management.
- Encourage critical thinking and reflection on the role of protected areas in island sustainability, linking research and practical perspectives.
Context: The Role of Protected Areas in Island Sustainability
Many FREIIA islands are located within or adjacent to national parks and protected areas, including:
- Koster National Park (Sweden)
- Schiermonnikoog National Park (Netherlands)
- Ytre Hvaler National Park (Norway)
- A proposed national park and biosphere reserve on Bornholm (Denmark)
- Marine protected areas in France
Protected areas play a crucial role in attracting visitors interested in nature conservation. Beyond their primary conservation purpose, they can also serve as platforms for broader sustainability initiatives, fostering dialogue and action beyond traditional conservation concerns.
Seminar Highlights
The Winter School provided:
- An overview of current trends in protected area management across Europe.
- A discussion of different types of protected areas, including national parks, biosphere reserves, nature parks, and marine protected areas.
- An exploration of the role of protected areas in promoting island sustainability, with a focus on collaboration between islanders and visitors.
- A deep dive into governance structures for protected areas, including the role of councils, advisory boards, and committees.
A Practical and Interactive Learning Approach
Drawing from scientific literature, international best practices, and participants' own experiences, the seminars encouraged active engagement and discussion. Attendees were not required to prepare in advance or submit reports afterward, making the sessions accessible and discussion-focused. Materials from the sessions will be shared with participants and all FREIIA partners through a dedicated online platform.
Key Outcomes and Future Impact
The FREIIA Winter School contributed to professional learning for conservation practitioners, researchers, and students. It also fostered structured knowledge exchange within the FREIIA network. The inclusion of perspectives from Ireland and German islands further broadened the scope of discussions, enhancing knowledge transfer beyond the North Sea region.
Participants who successfully completed the seminar series will receive certificates of participation.
About the Facilitator: Dr. Cormac Walsh
Dr. Cormac Walsh is a social science researcher at Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg and an independent consultant specializing in environmental planning, governance, and spatial planning. His research expertise includes protected area management, marine governance, and coastal management, with a particular focus on the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and national parks in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
For more information:
- Website:cormacwalsh-consult.eu
- Email:drcormacwalsh@gmail.com
