Verterra at the IEES 2025 Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland

Last week, Verterra founders and board members, Dr. Glenn Dale and Susan Dale travelled to Reykjavik in Iceland to join members of the International Ecological Engineering Society (IEES) for its 13th International Conference.

Founded in 1993, IEES is a not-for-profit organisation that connects ecological engineering professionals from around the globe, to share expertise and advance nature-based solutions to environmental problems.

The 2025 conference theme - ‘Closed Cycles and the Circular Society’ - featured engaging keynotes from:
Dr. Magnus Göransson (Náttúrufræðistofnun – Natural Science Institute of Iceland) on the future for food security
Prof. David Blersch and Prof. Eric Roy, PhD, PE (American Ecological Engineering Society) reflecting on 25 years of ecological engineering.

Dr Glenn Dale, a member of the IEES Advisory board, convened a panel discussion with experts from Iceland, the US, Scotland and Greece to explore the foundational requirements for formal recognition of ecological engineering as a discipline - and the practical steps needed to support professional development and wider adoption worldwide.  Glenn also delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled Engineering Natures Future: The Call for Practical Action in Ecological Engineering.

Glenn said: “The conference provided valuable insights into how researchers and practitioners from around the world are dealing with the challenge of finding ways to help nature and society to beneficially co-exist on planet earth.  It is a privilege and an honour to be able to be part of this group and to contribute to this grand challenge.”

A huge thank you to IEES for your warm hospitality and to all speakers for their inspiring contributions. We’re proud to be a part of a global community advancing science-based solutions for a sustainable future.