Welcome to the Learning Modules of the
MERLIN Academy!

All you need to know about restoration and nature-based solutions in freshwaters and wetlands.

This part of the MERLIN Academy is an online learning place that can be accessed by registered users any time. It offers four different interactive learning modules and allows keeping track of the learning progress during their completion. While the MERLIN Academy is open to any interested person, it has been designed to address

  • administration and managers
  • restoration practitioners
  • the scientific community with focus on students


The learning modules of the MERLIN Academy include videos and recorded webinars by experienced scientists and stakeholders, accompanying slides, explanations of terms, further reading recommendations as well as quizzes to test your knowledge. 

For now Module 3 – The economics and financing of freshwater and wetland restoration – is online. The other Modules will follow in autumn 2024 (Module 1), spring 2025 (Module 2) and autumn 2025 (Module 4).

MERLIN Academy reviews

That is what our learners think about our Modules.

5 star rating

Awesome & highly recommended!

Elisabeth Weber

I recently completed Module 3 and am thoroughly impressed with its overall quality and delivery. The content presented is state-of-the-art, reflecting the la...

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I recently completed Module 3 and am thoroughly impressed with its overall quality and delivery. The content presented is state-of-the-art, reflecting the latest advancements and best practices in the field. Each video presentation is meticulously crafted, making it both engaging and easy to follow. The speakers are not only knowledgeable but also deliver the material with clarity and enthusiasm, enhancing the learning experience. The course design is highly professional, from the visual and audio quality to the seamless integration of multimedia elements. I found the tasks interspersed throughout the modules particularly useful in reinforcing key concepts and ensuring that I could apply what I had learned. These interactive components helped to solidify my understanding and kept me actively engaged. Additionally, the inclusion of supplementary literature is a fantastic bonus. It provides valuable resources for those who wish to delve deeper into the topics covered and expand their knowledge beyond the course material. Overall, the layout and execution of this project are exemplary. It has been a pleasure to work through this course, and I have gained a lot from the experience. I highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in this area. The effort and expertise that have gone into creating this course are evident and much appreciated.

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5 star rating

Nice course

Franziska Wenskus

Module 3 was a nice course, not too long and not too short. Videos and presentations look neat and the speakers seem to really know their stuff. Will definit...

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Module 3 was a nice course, not too long and not too short. Videos and presentations look neat and the speakers seem to really know their stuff. Will definitely recommend!

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MERLIN Academy teaching experts

All MERLIN Academy instructors are experienced experts in the field of freshwater and wetland ecology, restoration and nature-based solutions as well as social science, the financial and different economic sectors. They work at academic institutions, NGOs and private companies. This diversity should make it possible to gain as broad an insight as possible.

The instructors are introduced at each module.

MERLIN Academy hosts

Academy Management Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber

Astrid is a senior scientist at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. Her current field of work is freshwater biodiversity with a focus on data management, mobilisation and publication. Astrid leads and manages the development of the MERLIN Academy.

Academy Management Sebastian Birk

Sebastian is an environmental scientist at the University Duisburg-Essen. His working focus is applied aquatic ecology at the interface between science, environmental management and policy. He co-leads the MERLIN Academy development.

Academy Management Franziska Wenskus

Franziska is a PhD candidate at the University Duisburg-Essen. The topic of her theses is the influence of lateral connectivity and structural environmental variables on species community and distribution patterns of ground beetles (Carabidae). Franziska co-leads the development of the MERLIN Academy.

Technical Assistant Joselyn Arreaga Espin

Josy is a Master's student at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. She is responsible for video editing at the MERLIN Academy.

Joining the MERLIN Academy

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