The Wadden Logbook

Thursday 24 February 2022

An Italian comes to the Wadden sea and stares at it for three months. No, it’s not a joke, but the summary of what I did over three months of internship. At least metaphorically.

My name is Erika, I am a third-year Bachelor’s student of International Relations and International Organization at the University of Groningen and for the past three months I have worked as an intern at Programme towards a Rich Wadden Sea. 

Why the Waddenzee?

Because I grew up on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the sea as a whole has always been the backdrop to my life. Now that I am studying in Groningen, the Wadden was the closest marine expanse to me and that is why I jumped at the opportunity to get to know more about it. More specifically, this internship constituted for me a bridge between my current studies and the interest in Climate and Ocean Governance that I will further pursue with a Master’s in Climate Adaptation Governance at the RUG.

The echo of PRW

As for my internship assignment, I was asked to reflect on the ‘echo’ generated by PRW and The Wadden Logbook represents the final product of my work. The question that guided my reflection was: what is the legacy of PRW? The answer to that can be found in the podcast. Five short episodes where, in a nutshell, I tell you my version of the PRW’s legacy. Spoiler alert: managing a common good can be really challenging when so many people benefit from it! Don’t worry, I am not an expert nor a true connoisseur of the Wadden sea, so I will not pretend to be one; but that’s the beauty of it! 

Last but not least, if you prefer a more classic format, you can find my reflection in the written version here:

Here’s the instructions for use:

  • choose your favorite version;
  • sit comfortably;
  • let The Wadden Logbook take you on a journey through uncharted waters! I look forward to your feedback!

You can find The Wadden logbook on our YouTube channel:

Episode 1 – Introducing The Wadden Logbook

Episode 2 – Leave the spaghetti to the Italians

Episode 3 – The sauce needs a new cook part 1

Episode 3.1 – The sauce needs a new cook part 2

Episode 4 – Highly systemic and deeply personal

Episode 5 – Wake up call

More information:

Please contact Erika Compatangelo: e.compatangelo@student.rug.nl. Or Michiel Firet: m.firet@staatsbosbeheer.nl.