III International seminar “Mire vegetation: modern problems of classification, mapping, use and protection” (Minsk – Grodno, Belarus, September, 26–28, 2018)

The third international seminar “Mire vegetation: modern problems of classification, mapping, use and protection” took place in September 26–28, 2018 in Belarus, Grodno Region. It was organized by B. F. Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno. Apart from two days of scientific sessions the participants went for half-day field trips visiting the landscape reserve “Ozery”. Two beautiful autumn mires: lake-side pine bog and river valley fen were appreciated by mire specialists from Lithuania, Russia and Belarus. The visit-center of the reserve offered the short lectures on nature, tourist attractions and prospective activities. On September 29 everyone was invited to joint an additional field trip and seminar held in Novy Dvor (Svisloch district) to support a preservation of Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus. Local teachers and experts together with international mire researchers went to the Dikoe mire, the Ramsar site, were they had a training course in the field. All participants of the event were happy to be together, share the experiences and contribute to ecological education.