Professional
Phytoplankton workshop for professionals (24)25-26 August 2026
– To identify or not to identify? –
Cosmarium
Now in its fourth edition: the two-day professional workshop on phytoplankton identification on Kemiö Island, Finland. This year’s focus is on Cosmarium species. We are delighted to welcome as lecturers Dr Frans Kouwets and MSc Marien van Westen.
Frans Kouwets is a highly respected phytoplankton expert with over 50 years of experience, with a particular interest in Desmids. He is also the author of the monumental European Cosmarium Flora (2025), a comprehensive work featuring extensive information and exceptional illustrations.
Marien van Westen, originally a lecturer in physics and programming, has in recent years developed a deep fascination with the beauty of Desmids. He has conducted research into their distribution in his home region, culminating in the publication of the Desmid Atlas of Drenthe (2024, in Dutch), which includes outstanding photography and valuable observations on distinguishing similar species.
The workshop is organised by Company Zwerver, with a little help of some friends.
The aim of the workshop is to provide a stimulating environment for lectures and discussions on the identification and ecology of Cosmarium, alongside hands-on microscopy sessions addressing practical challenges encountered in analytical work. In addition, two computer programs designed to support algae identification will be introduced.
Participants are also invited to join an optional field trip to local lakes and ponds on the Monday preceding the workshop.
Participants are warmly encouraged to bring their own samples and photographs. Microscopes and relevant literature will be available on site, and there will be opportunity to capture and share microscope images for group discussions.
The detailed programme will be announced at a later date.
Language: English
Group size: 15–22 participants
Target group: Professional phytoplankton analysts
Selection criteria: Priority will be given to participants with more extensive professional experience
Dates and times: 25–26 August 2025 (Tuesday–Wednesday), 09:00–18:00
Samples: Fresh and preserved samples will be available for study. Participants are encouraged to bring their own.
Photographs: Participants may upload photographs of up to five taxa prior to the course. These will be incorporated into the teaching sessions.
Venue: Kasnäs Hotel, Kasnäsintie 1294, 25930 Kasnäs, Finland
This family-owned hotel is beautifully situated on the edge of the Finnish archipelago. Its distinctive shell-shaped buildings rest on coastal cliffs, offering a unique setting amidst stunning scenery. Facilities include a spa, gym, restaurant, and shop, all conveniently located near the accommodation. Both single and double rooms are available.
Price: €235 per person (+ applicable VAT of 25.5%)
Includes:
- Course venue and lectures
- Microscopes, cameras, samples, chambers and other microscoping materials + identification literature
- Two-month free access to the PVIK identification app
- Coffee and tea during breaks
- Certificate of attendance
Please note: Accommodation and meals (other than coffee and tea during the course) are not included and should be arranged directly with the hotel and the restaurant. Upon registration, you will receive a booking code enabling you to reserve accommodation at the following rates: €170 for a double room or €150 for a single room. The accommodation includes breakfast and access to the spa and gym.
Please contact Kasnäs hotel directly via their booking system, by telephone (+358 2 5210 100), or by email (info@kasnas.com).
Registration: Please complete the registration form.
Deadline registration: 5 June 2026
Invoicing: Invoices will be issued in Week 24, with a 21-day payment period.
Cancellation policy:
- Full refund for cancellations made at least four weeks before the workshop (by 28 July 2025)
- 50% refund for cancellations made between four and two weeks prior (until 11 August 2025)
- No refund for cancellations made after this date
Optional Field Trip
Participants are invited to join a field trip to nearby lakes, ponds, and bogs on the Monday prior to the workshop. We will visit 5 -10 sites, depending on interest to the sites, and the weather. The excursion will cover approximately 70 km, travelling by car or minibus (depending on group size) all the way up to Björkboda, on the main island of Kemiö. Sampling equipment and a lunch package will be provided. This will be fun!
Date and time: 24 August (Monday), 09:00–15:00 (starting and ending at Kasnäs Hotel)
Price: €55 per person (+ applicable VAT of 25.5%)
Registration: Via the registration form linked above.
Deadline registration: 5 June 2026
Includes:
- Transport
- Sampling materials
- Lunch package
Travelling to Kasnäs
Kasnäs is located at the southern tip of the large island of Kemiö, on Finland’s south coast. It’s about 180 km west of Helsinki and around 100 km south-east of Turku.
You can fly into Helsinki, or in some cases Turku. Another pleasant option is to take one of the large, comfortable (and still very reasonably priced) cruise ferries between Stockholm and Turku, if that fits your plans.
Trains and busses
From Helsinki you can take a train or bus to Salo or Turku, and then continue by bus to Kasnäs. There’s no train connection to the island itself. Salo is on the way to Turku, but there are more connections from Turku to Kemiö Island.
On the last part of the trip, from Taalintehdas/Dalsbruk (Finnish/Swedish name of the place) to Kasnäs there are not many busses. If you are arriving at the time when there is no connection to Kasnäs we will arrange your transport for the last 17 kms in another way.
The August timetables aren’t available just yet, but here are some useful links for public transport schedules:
Train timetables – VR
Direct bus to Turku from Helsinki airport – Onnibus
Bus Helsinki-Turku – Matkahuolto
Bus Helsinki-Salo – Matkahuolto
Bus Turku-Taalintehdas, lines 720-727 Seutu+
Bus Salo-Kemiönsaari, line 530 Seutu +