Please join us for two online film sessions with an expert discussion on the prospects of a growing network of strictly protected rivers across Europe ‑ healthy, dynamic and free-flowing.
Session 1 (16:30-17:30): Keep the Wild Wild!
Session 2 (17:45-18:45): The Dam Removal Challenge
Free-flowing rivers and their floodplains are known to be among of the most biodiverse habitats on the planet. Yet, as rivers are threatened around the globe, freshwater biodiversity is in dramatic globally, Europe being no exception. With the new EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems is finally becoming an even biggger priority.
Protecting the pathways rivers create, and allowing the river to renew itself: This is what river conservation is all about. What does it take to defend the last wild rivers against new hydropower or inland navigation projects, and be more ambitious when it comes to taking down barriers and dams?
The evening will present a number of short films about outstanding rivers in Europe as well as two inspiring examples from the US: The Wild and Scenic Rivers concept, and the stunning dam removals on the Elwha river.
The event is hosted by the European Commission in partnership with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).