BaltCOP: Satisfied landowners share testimonials of wetland restoration

Read the original story: https://nvvf.se/tpost/vatmarker-superhjaltar 

From unwanted land to valued ecosystems

The perception of wetlands has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years – from being viewed as undesirable areas to eliminate for farming purposes, to today – when many have opened their eyes to the many benefits that wetlands provide. 

Erika Olsson and Fredrik Miller are two satisfied wetland owners where NVVF has been involved in helping them throughout the entire wetland restoration process. Erika’s wetland was created within the Interreg BaltCOP project, demonstrating the tangible results that dedicated restoration efforts can achieve.

Here’s what they say about the final result:

“The wetland blends naturally into the surrounding landscape – it turned out so beautifully! Having a catchment officer with us throughout the journey has been worth its weight in gold.” – Erika Olsson, Farmer

“Every morning I drive past my wetland and delight in the landscape with the water and the teeming wildlife.” – Fredrik Miller, landowner

Why wetland restoration matters 

Over the years, many wetlands have been drained and rivers straightened, removing nature’s own buffer systems that prevent excess nutrients from reaching the sea. Research shows that restoring wetlands on just a small percentage of land area can yield significant reductions in nitrogen loads to our waters. 

The results are promising: achieving good ecological status in major river basins requires additional measures alongside wetland restoration, but the combination of restored wetlands and good agricultural practices can make a substantial difference. 

Did you know that wetlands: 

• Balance water flows – reducing both floods and droughts
• Capture nutrients – helping lakes and seas stay healthier
• Support biodiversity – benefiting plants, birds, insects and wildlife
• Store carbon in the soil – reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

About BaltCOP – scaling up restoration for a healthier Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea faces a critical threat from eutrophication – nutrient pollution that creates massive algae blooms and oxygen-starved dead zones. To combat this, WWF Sweden leads the Baltic Catchment Officer Project (BaltCOP), a three-year EU-funded initiative that brings together five organizations across three countries to restore wetlands and rivers throughout the region. By focusing on six key sites across major river catchments, the project demonstrates how innovative, landscape-wide approaches can scale up restoration efforts where they matter most – on land, where nutrient runoff begins.

BaltCOP’s work, including partnerships with organizations like NVVF, proves that wetland restoration delivers benefits beyond environmental health. Landowners report that restored wetlands create beautiful landscapes for daily enjoyment while protecting water quality. Through this catchment-wide approach, WWF and its partners are tackling the Baltic Sea crisis one wetland at a time – a vital investment in the region’s future.

For more information about the BaltCOP project and WWF Sweden’s work to protect the Baltic Sea, visit: https://www.wwfbaltic.org/our-work/land/interreg-