Our workshop “Alpine Land Snails” took place again this year in Johnsbach in Gesäuse (Styria). The mix of field trips, outdoor work and scientific program, cultural contributions and discussions and project planning can, as always, be outlined as “intense and creative”. This year’s scientific lectures again focused on land snails and in addition there were also presentations on marine and freshwater snails as well as contributions to other animal groups, including ABOL projects (Austrian Barcode of Life). The lectures and poster presentations were of the highest quality, the mood was excellent, and overall, the contributions provided ample material for discussion throughout the workshop. The broad professional orientation of the participants – in terms of both groups of organisms and fields of research – as well as the participation of family members was enriching and contributed to the lively professional exchange and the good mood. In addition to the field trips and the scientific program, a field study on rock snails in Johnsbach was another focus. The results are eagerly awaited.

And we had anniversaries to celebrate: 30 years of snail research in Johnsbach, 20 workshops in Johnsbach, 15 years existence of the working group “Alpine Landschnecken”! In this context, the premiere of the premiere of the play “Hans Wundersam” took place, a piece that sketches the memorable early days and the history of the working group and profoundly tackled fundamental malacological questions. We hope everyone enjoyed the workshop and look forward to seeing you again soon.

All Images: Michaela Sonnleitner