RTG Retreat 2025
From July 28th to 31st, a group of 23 members from the ECOSENSE project, including technicians, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers, participated in a research retreat based in Geneva, Switzerland. The retreat aimed to strengthen interdisciplinary exchange and gain field-based insights into ongoing climate and ecological monitoring efforts across Switzerland and France.
Day 1 – Swiss Canopy Crane II, Hölstein BL
Our retreat began with a visit to the University of Basel’s long-term ecological field site at the Swiss Canopy Crane II in Hölstein. Hosted by the research team from the University of Basel, we gained insights into their large-scale climate change experiments conducted in forest canopies. One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to ride the canopy crane—rising approximately 55 meters above the forest floor—which offered a unique perspective of the research infrastructure and surrounding ecosystem. During the visit, we learned about sap flow measurements, dendrometer installations for tree growth monitoring, and resistivity sensors used to assess forest soil moisture. The experience offered a comprehensive view of advanced methods used in long-term forest observation.
Day 2 – Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura, Lajoux (France)
We travelled to the Haut-Jura region and visited the Maison du Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura in Lajoux. The day began with an introduction to the ways human interference has altered the Jura forest and affected the diversity of species inhabiting it. This was followed by a presentation on hydrological projects in the region, where we learned about the long-term environmental impacts of past practices such as river straightening, wetland drainage, and dam construction. The presentation also highlighted how the Parc Jura is now implementing corrective measures in close cooperation with local citizens and industrial stakeholders to restore natural water systems and ecological balance. The day concluded with a scenic 9.5 km hike through the forest, offering a deeper appreciation of the landscape and the ongoing restoration efforts.
Day 3 – CERN, Geneva
Our third day took us to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. We toured both the linear and circular accelerator facilities and learned about the institution’s pivotal role in advancing particle physics. In addition to the site tour, we visited the CERN museum, where interactive exhibits, games, and artistic installations helped us understand the complex subsystems required to build and operate a particle accelerator—from magnets and detectors to cryogenics and data acquisition. It was an engaging and accessible way to grasp the scale and intricacy of CERN’s work. The day concluded with a relaxing visit to Lake Nyon, where we could unwind and reflect on the day’s insights in a beautiful lakeside setting.
Day 4 – Atmospheric Sciences at University of Basel
On our return journey to Freiburg, we stopped at the University of Basel’s Group of Atmospheric Sciences. The focus of this visit was urban-scale environmental monitoring, specifically eddy covariance measurements in city environments. We engaged in discussions about urban microclimates, and the technical challenges of atmospheric measurements in built environments.
The retreat offered a rich blend of scientific learning, cross-disciplinary exchange, and team-building experiences. Each site visit expanded our understanding of ecological sensing, climate monitoring, and human-environment interactions; core themes of the ECOSENSE project. We return to Freiburg with new ideas, stronger connections, and a renewed motivation for collaborative research.