DocuScience: Mission to Marsh

Mission to Marsh explores why wetlands and peatlands are important worldwide, especially now that climate and environmental changes are happening so fast. Wetlands are often underestimated, even though they help regulate carbon and water and support biodiversity. Yet, many of these areas have been drained or changed for farming, building, and other types of development in the past. The film shows how these changes are now affecting issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, land subsidence, flooding, drought and damage to ecosystems. Through stories from different parts of the world, the film shows how complex, but also promising, the restoration of wetlands can be. It becomes clear that successful restoration always depends on local ecology, society and politics. Scientists, land managers, farmers, policymakers and members of local communities share their perspectives. Together, they show that decisions about wetlands are not only scientific or ecological, but also deeply intertwined with culture and society.

By bringing international stories into dialogue with the Dutch context, this DocuScience invites reflection on our own landscapes. The central message is clear: we only protect what we love, and we only love what we know. So let's get to know wetlands.

The project was founded in 2022 by Ann Christin Kornelsen and Alexander Kornelsen, based on the question of why wetlands, despite their great importance, are still so little understood and appreciated. What began as an initiative to make science accessible grew into a documentary and a non-profit platform dedicated to raising awareness, dialogue and action around the protection and restoration of wetlands worldwide.

In addition to the film, Mission to Marsh organises screenings and discussions throughout Europe and beyond. This screening will be accompanied by a specially curated programme designed to put the documentary in context and stimulate dialogue. The screening will begin with a short introduction by Laurent Bataille, a PhD candidate in the field of peatlands, greenhouse gas dynamics and land use change. He will place the themes of the film in the Dutch and European context, where drained peatlands are increasingly seen as significant sources of climate emissions and landscape vulnerability. This will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and the audience, an invitation to think further together about the future of wetlands and our landscape.

Good to know, the documentary is English spoken.

De documentary will be shown in Omnia and admission is free of charge. The program will begin at 16:45, with the room opening at 16:30. You can register via these Forms. After the program, you are welcome to talk while enjoying the DocuDinner.

Exclusively for DocuScience, restaurant Novum, in Omnia, offers a DocuDinner.  DocuDinner starts after DocuScience has ended around 18:30. For €28.50, you can enjoy a shared dining experience with various dishes to share, including a drink. A reservation is required and can be done by e-mailing welkom@restaurantnovum.nl or by reserving via the website www.restaurantnovum.nl. Please mention DocuScience.

DocuScience is a program in Omnia, where employees of Wageningen Campus share insights into the inspiring work happening at Campus. We will explore new perspectives through provocative documentaries that encourage conversation. Everyone working at Wageningen Campus is welcome, so bring your colleagues!