A natural debate

Agriculture has a big influence on the landscape and nature, so what could be more natural than having researchers from AGRO participate with their knowledge and opinions in the popular nature festival ‘Naturmødet’ in Hirtshals? Thus, at Naturmødet you could meet Professor Tommy Dalgaard, SYSTEM, Professor Jørgen E. Olesen, KLIMA, and research assistant Morten Graversgaard, SYSTEM, who were in place as debaters in each their debate.

Tommy Dalgaard (middle) participated in a debate with Martin Einfeld (right), with Anders Lund Madsen (left) as moderater. Photo: Janne Hansen 

Tommy Dalgaard settled down in a comfy, armchair on the stage in the tent where the informal conversations took place with Anders Lund Madsen as moderator. Together with silviculturist and JA representative Martin Einfeld, Tommy debated the subject ”Nature versus cultural landscape”. The silviculturist was clearly an advocate for tending forests so they can be driven commercially, while Tommy took on the role as a champion for a more natural nature and concluded by saying, 

- The way forward is to find a balance between the cultural and natural landscape. The battle is not equal, so nature needs protection. 

In another room, where the concept was more toward lectures and learning, Jørgen E. Olesen was on the stage together with Professor Stiig Markager from the Department of Bioscience. The topic was ’The happy ending of the agricultural package’. The two lecturers agreed that Stiig Markager could begin by laying out the problems after which Jørgen could present the solutions.

- Bad guy, good guy, Stiig Markager noted with a smile when he started his lecture about the importance of leached nutrients on the aquatic environment. Jørgen pointed out that, yes, there are still areas where nitrogen leaching has not been measured, but it is not enough to just take a whole lot of measurements. We must also do something – and he told about the many potentials that growing and refining of grass has, besides which an array of other nitrogen measures are used and researched. 

Jørgen E. Olesen listens to what Stiig Markager (not shown) says. Photo: Janne Hansen

Morten Graversgaard was on the same scene the day after when he participated in the debate ’Democracy in nature – and environmental decisions – how?’ together with Torben Thinggaard from the Danish Sports Fishing Federation. 

Approximately 20,000 people with many different angles on nature attended Naturmødet. You could thus find hunters, fishermen, farmers, twitchers, ramblers, biologists, politicians, nature preservation groups, and authorities. The crowd’s diversity ensured a lively interest and debate at the various events.