Baltic-Nordic region thematic workshop on synergies and trade-offs between nature, water, climate and flood prevention policies was held on 29-30 September 2021, at the lake Lubāna (in Latvia), which is one of the demonstration areas of the LIFE GoodWater IP project. 

The workshop brought together nature conservation and water management experts from the LIFE projects in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Sweden (online). This was an opportunity for networking between LIFE project teams as well as to share experience and good practice in management and restoration of water related ecosystems.

During the first day a field trip was organised around the lake Lubāns to explore its nature assets and water level management challenges and solutions. On the second day various experiences were presented, including the LIFE GoodWater IP analysis of EU and national legal requirements for nature and water management in the Lake Lubāns; practical experience from Lithuania with water level regulation in Nemunas delta, balancing aquatic warbler conservation and farming interests; Swedish experience with stakeholder engagement and developing tools for reducing eutrophication; and Estonian experience in remediation of the contaminated sites and cleaning the waterbodies.

Workshop concluded with interactive discussion on possible solutions for addressing synergies and trade-offs between nature, water, climate and flood prevention policies, including proposals for the biodiversity and water level management in the Lubāna wetland complex.