From December 2 to 5, 2025, an international workshop titled «Systems Approach for Adaptive Management that Inform Land and Water Governance in Ukraine» was held in Warsaw (Republic of Poland), organized by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin (LBJ School), with support from the project «Substantiation and measures for implementation of a human rights-based integrated approach to rural development, food security and land policy in post-war rebuilding of Ukraine» (abbreviated as “rUAr: Rebuild Rural Ukraine”), funded under the «Long-term program of support of the Ukrainian research teams at the Polish Academy of Sciences carried out in collaboration with the U.S. National Academy of Sciences with the financial support of external partners»..
 
The workshop speakers were:
Dr. Sachin Shah – hydrologist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin (LBJ School of Public Affairs);
Dr. Dhaval Vyas – Project Manager at the U.S. Department of the Interior and representative of the International Technical Assistance Program (ITAP, US DOI).
 

 
The Land Management Institute of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine was represented at the workshop by:
– Yosyp Dorosh, Academician of the NAAS of Ukraine, Director of the Institute;
– Shamil Ibatullin, Academician of the NAAS of Ukraine, Deputy Director for Research (also – Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IRWiR PAN));
– Andrii Tarnopolskyi, Deputy Director;
– Oksana Sakal, Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher (also – Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IRWiR PAN));
– Roman Kharytonenko, PhD in Economics;
– Andriy Dorosh, PhD in Economics;
– Mariia Zavodiana.
 
The workshop was also attended by representatives of scientific and educational institutions from Ukraine and Poland, including:
– Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IRWiR PAN) – Vitalii Krupin, Sławomir Sioma;
– National Scientific Center «Institute of Agrarian Economics» – Viktor Zaiats;
– National Scientific Center «Institute of Agriculture of the NAAS» – Anton Tkachenko;
– Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation of the NAAS – Yaroslava Mosiichuk, Yurii Limachov;
– National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine – Iryna Kupriianchyk, Bohdanna Zaiachkivska;
– Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University – Mykola Pasichnyk.
 

 
The workshop program was intensive and consisted of four full days of work.
The workshop was characterized by a profound interdisciplinary approach, teamwork, and practical application of adaptive management tools. Participants had the opportunity to work hands-on with the SES Framework Diagram (Social-Ecological System diagram), Vulnerability Equation Framework (vulnerability assessment model), NbS Portfolio Concept (approach to forming a portfolio of nature-based solutions), Scenario Testing Matrix, and complete Case Study Assignments (tasks based on real cases). Particularly valuable was the group work and professional interaction among participants, which facilitated active knowledge exchange and expert problem-solving.
 
Workshop participants worked in four thematic groups on projects:
– Nature restoration in Ukraine – the Danube Delta and Tarutynskyi Steppe (Odesa region);
– Sustainable livestock management and peatland restoration;
– Polissia landscape restoration and expansion of protected areas;
– Planning and restoration of the Azov-Black Sea eco-corridor.
 

 
A special highlight of the workshop was the presentation of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) medal to select participants for their active participation, dedication, and significant contribution to achieving the event’s objectives. This award represents high recognition from American colleagues and is extremely honorable for the Ukrainian scientists who received it.
 

 
During the workshop, Dr. Vitalii Krupin (Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IRWiR PAN)) also presented the content and selected results of the rUAr: Rebuild Rural Ukraine project, which aims to develop integrated strategies for post-war reconstruction of Ukraine’s rural territories, taking into account human rights, food security, and land policy.
 

 
The event served as an important platform for knowledge exchange, partnership building, and developing new approaches to natural resource management in the face of contemporary challenges.