Österlen's beautiful waterways

With increased knowledge of the rivers and what is important for life in and near the water, the water councils can help preserve the rivers' ecological values and improve water quality by coordinating measures.

The aim of this project, which was initiated by two water councils, was to improve and strengthen the work on water issues. With actors from water councils and nature conservation associations as well as fisheries conservation associations and municipalities, activities were carried out to promote biodiversity and create greater interest and commitment to the water environments in southeast Skåne.

The project arranged information meetings about all watercourses as well as several hikes, study visits, study circles and activities for children and young people, such as a water workshop, water safari and litter picking day. Over 1,600 people participated in one of the project's 150 activities.

During the pandemic, meetings were rescheduled and held digitally, and activities for the public and schools were carried out in smaller groups outdoors. However, more people than expected seemed to appreciate meeting in nature, and the number of participants skyrocketed. Instead of a final conference, the water councils had an information leaflet printed about the water councils as a collaborative body and invited people to hike along all the rivers in the area. Local history associations, village groups, nature conservation associations and other interested parties had fruitful meetings and discussions when they met out by the waterways.

Several universities and colleges were involved in the project and provided support through time, knowledge and information, and produced several reports. Together with Österlen Folk High School, an art exhibition was made: ”Rings on the Water – From Österlen to the Baltic Sea”, which was shown at the art gallery in Tomelilla and at the Marine Center in Simrishamn. At the end of the project, an action coordinator was hired to continue working with the waterways in southeast Skåne.

Österlen's beautiful waterways resulted in a long-term network and cooperation for water conservation that extends across municipal borders. The exchange of experience within the project between nature conservation associations, fisheries conservation associations and the Swedish National Fisheries Agency led to concrete efforts for better water. Universities, colleges and nature schools contributed with allocated time and knowledge about water – all to increase awareness of the values of nature.

The project also contributed to increased awareness of water issues and the establishment of water councils as an important collaboration platform in wetland work with rivers. The project led to increased interest and more activities focusing on water in various activities and a list of measures to improve water quality and increase biodiversity linked to water environments.

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The project contributes to long-term and sustainable measures that can create conditions for improved water quality in the area, sustainable cycle thinking, and increased awareness and interest in water issues.