On the 10^th October, Exo made the trip over to Enschede, Netherlands to present at Baggernet’s 2017 annual conference. Baggernet, launched in 1999, aims to strengthen the network of knowledge and partnerships across water and sediment management and dredging works. In doing so, Baggernet supports a bottom-up management system that facilitates the effective transfer of knowledge and best practice across these intrinsically connected industries.

In accordance with this ethos, we represented the Interreg 2 Seas initiative “Using Sediment As a Resource (USAR)” alongside Guido Verweij of HHSK, the regional water authority of Schieland and the Krimpenerwaard (Netherlands) and USAR lead partner, and Hans Quaeyhaegens of De Vlaamse Waterweg, the Flemish Waterway navigational authority (Belgium).

The event provided a prime opportunity to promote the aims of USAR and the great work being achieved by all partners and supported through cross—border collaboration. For Exo specifically, it allowed us to showcase the work being undertaken in Brightlingsea with a summary of the Year 1 successes, challenges and learning outcomes, the preparation and initial works already completed during Year 2 and our plans to facilitate the long-term sustainability of Brightlingsea Harbour through the beneficial use of dredged material to create win-win solutions for local navigation and intertidal habitats.