One of the activities of SEVIRA-project is the hydrological work package. One aim of this work package is to increase conversation and knowledge exchange of hydrological monitoring and its practices in Finland and Russia. The first workshop of this theme was held in St. Petersburg on March 6, 2019. In the workshop there were discussions of how to organize monitoring, observation networks, information systems and measuring practices in both the countries. In addition it was discussed how to use hydrological information. Conversation after the presentations was active, and according to plans, the workshop increased understanding of how monitoring is organized in both the countries. In the workshop there also was planning of the content of following meetings. Next workshop will be held in Helsinki in November. Already before that there will be joint fieldtrips in order to increase co-operation in hydrological monitoring and sharing good practices. First fieldtrip will take place in Lappeenranta in May.
There were all together eight people from Finland and they were from Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Southeast Finland (KASELY). From Russia there were over 10 participants and they were from Northwest Administration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (FSBI North-West AHEM), Biologists for Nature Conservation (BFNC) and Ecocentrum Ltd.
Participants of the first workshop in St.Petersburg. Photo Pekka Vähänäkki.