International Student Workshop on Meadow Orchards Held at UJEP

Czech and German students from UJEP and Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz presented their semester projects focused on meadow orchards and their role in climate adaptation, biodiversity, and recreation.

The workshop, organized by the Institute for Economic and Ecological Policy (FSE UJEP) and the Department of Geography (Faculty of Science, UJEP), concluded the international student course held within the OKliBio project (Fruit Landscapes for Climate Change and Biodiversity), supported by Interreg Czech Republic – Saxony 2021–2027.

The students explored how meadow orchards contribute to carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and recreational value. Discussions revealed diverse views on what recreation means—from movement through the landscape to moments of rest and contemplation.

The event also included a field excursion around Ústí nad Labem, guided by Dr. Jiří Riezner, who presented selected sites such as Větruše and linked them to current research on nature and landscape protection.

The OKliBio project promotes the revitalization of traditional orchards and alleys in the Czech–Saxon border region, aiming to enhance biodiversity, preserve cultural landscapes, and support climate resilience through sustainable orchard management.