Over the course of three productive days, representatives from 10 partner institutions gathered in Leipzig, Germany, for MAMBO's Second Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). This event marked two years of progress towards improving Europe's ecological landscape.

The meeting began with a welcoming address by Project Coordinator Toke Thomas Høye from Aarhus University. Throughout the day, leaders from MAMBO’s project teams presented updates, focusing on collaboration and the impact of their work across various ecological research areas. Between sessions, participants engaged in dynamic discussions on synergies, knowledge exchange, and overcoming project challenges.

Day two began with presentations from MAMBO’s early-career researchers (ECRs), who shared their recent developments and outlined upcoming tasks. Following this, Advisory Board Members took the stage, offering thought-provoking insights, asking questions after being briefed on the progress made by MAMBO partners and giving feedback. The afternoon was dedicated to strategic planning, with participants discussing the next steps for MAMBO. These collaborative discussions aimed to refine project strategies and strengthen partnerships, underscoring the consortium's commitment to advancing biodiversity monitoring. Stakeholder engagement, impact measurement, and communication planning were key topics of the day.

On the final day, attendees went on a field trip and visited MAMBO’s demonstration site in Friedeburg. The field trip provided valuable insights into ongoing monitoring activities and offered a close-up look at local species and ecosystems.

The three-day event strengthened collaboration and set the stage for future MAMBO research initiatives. Stay tuned for more updates on the project’s progress and upcoming activities!