“From reedbeds to nature-based solutions: 

25 years of UK constructed wetlands for water quality improvement” 

21st and 22nd October 2025  

Coventry Technology Park, Coventry, UK 

Confirmed Keynote Speaker: Magdalena Gajewska

  Professor Magdalena Gajewska is a pioneering expert in nature-based solutions who led the   implementation of Poland's first urban rain gardens in Gdańsk, making it a model city for    sustainable stormwater management. As a full professor at Gdańsk University of Technology  and coordinator of the EcoTech Center, she specializes in urban water management,  treatment wetlands, and SuDS/water sensitive urban design systems. She has led 20+ research projects and served as president of the IWA Specialist Group on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control (2016-2020). Her work directly addresses climate adaptation challenges in cities, combining technical innovation with ecosystem services to create resilient urban water infrastructure. 

CALL FOR SPEAKERS – DEADLINE 22^nd August 

We’re pleased to announce that this year’s conference will take place at Coventry Technology Park, Coventry, following the success of last year’s gathering at Knights Hill Hotel, Norfolk.  

A key feature of this year’s event will be site visits to two standout projects: the Hinckley Integrated Constructed Wetland and Lake View Park. 

The Hinckley ICW, developed by Severn Trent as part of their green recovery and water quality improvement programme, is designed to reduce stormwater overflows while enhancing biodiversity through nature-based treatment processes. 

At Lake View Park, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is leading a major restoration of the River Sherbourne, using ‘stage zero’ techniques to reconnect the river with its floodplain. The project has created new wetlands, scrapes, and ponds, delivering benefits for biodiversity, flood resilience, and public amenity. 

We are now inviting contributions from the wetland community, including researchers, practitioners, and project teams, to share the latest insights and experiences. We welcome talks on the following themes: 

• Overcoming challenges and enabling success 

• Turning policy into practice 

• Achieving multiple benefits with constructed wetlands 

• New approaches in wetland design and implementation 

• Wetlands for nutrient control in both rural and urban settings 

• Farm-based wetlands and catchment-scale solutions 

• Resource recovery and circular economy opportunities 

We’re also open to other topics that help advance the understanding or practical use of constructed wetlands. 

We welcome contributions that are supported by data (i.e., no commercial pitches please!) to enable inspiring discussions in a friendly environment. If you have new research or case studies that you would like to share, please send your submission to events@constructedwetland.co.uk with ABSTRACT in the subject title. 

Please include the following information: 

• Speaker(s) name, job title and organisation. 

• Title of your contribution 

• A brief summary of the scope of your presentation and key learning points (150 words). 

• If you prefer a poster or oral presentation 

DEADLINE 22^nd August 

We hope to see you in October! 

Best wishes, 

The CWA Committee