Tag Archives: France

EnviroTrek Clean Up Series 2012 – Respect the mountain

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Envirotrek Series 2012

Respect the Mountains organizes in cooperation with main sponsor KEEN Footwear the third edition of the EnviroTrek Clean Up Series. These will take place at six fantastic locations in Europe.

What is an Envirotrek? An Envirotrek is an adventure outdoor event where, aside from an the opportunity to try an outdoor activity, the participant will give back to the environment. Both locals and tourists alike can join in the fun!

The day will take a  format similar to the following.

Maximum participants: 80
09.30: Gathering and start Clean-Up;
12.30: BBQ Lunch;
13.30: Outdoor activities: Either rock climbing, raft building or mountain biking;
16.00: Goodbye + Goodie bag

Envirotrek All-Inclusive Costs
Adults – 10 Euros
Youth under 12 – Free * Minimum Age – 6 years

Envirotrek 2012 Events Dates and Locations are various and to be confirmed. Last years events were at the following locations:
Naturpark St. Pietersberg, The Netherlands
Mayrhofen, Austria
Naturpark Southern Schwarzwald, Germany
Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany
Samoens, France
Einruhr-Sinmerath, Eifel, Germany

SIGN UP VIA Envirotrek website

WWF volunteers help wolves by helping shepherds !

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The main aim is to improve acceptance of predators such as wolves, bears and lynx in the alpine range. This will be done by helping alpine farmers reduce predation damage through herd protection measures. An extra goal is to increase the understanding of these species in both city and mountain-dwellers.

Successful herd protection is essential

The re-colonization of Switzerland by lynx, bears and wolves can cause problems for the local population. The implementation of specific herd protection measures can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of attacks by the large carnivores. Furthermore the maintenance of traditional shepherding can benefit the ecological quality of high mountain pastures and forests. Protection measures however, are often frowned upon by herd owners because they require additional work and expenditure.

Herd protection measures need help!

WWF volunteers will attend an introduction course. They will then be allocated to a farm for a period of time. During this period they will implement protection measures in accordance with a scheme developed in France called “PastoraLoup”. The volunteer’s role is to actively participate in the daily work routine: they will spend the night outdoors with the guarding dogs to stand watch over the herd; they will inform tourists on the role of guarding dogs and will explain which behaviours to adopt when encountering one. Volunteers will also help raise protective fencing in specific areas. An unforgettable experience. Nights spent out in the open, long walks following the herd in beautiful mountain ranges: volunteers will experience both the joys and hardships of a shepherd’s life. Participating in the ‘Help the shepherd’ programme is a concrete action you can take. You will help the environment, by promoting sustainable farming, and you will facilitate the wolves’ return to the Alps. It is also an extraordinary adventure!

If you are interested in particiapting in this incredible opportunity: http://www.wwf.ch/fr/cequevouspouvezfaire/soyezactifs/devenezbenevole/aideauxbergers/ or if you interested in the French equivalent http://www.ferus.fr/benevolat/pastoraloup.

Red Cross Food Collection

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In Pays de Gex the yearly food collection in supermarkets by the French Banque Alimentaire is going to take place on Friday November 25 and Saturday November 26. Spoken French is fine, but not a necessity, if at least someone in each group of students speaks French. (There are many English speaking customers.
The Croix Rouge (Red Cross) is coordinating the event and volunteers are needed in:

  • Carrefour La Poterie (the big Carrefour in Ferney-Voltaire)
  • Migros in the shopping center Val Thoiry

It is suggested that students from College du Leman participate after school on Friday afternoon until the shops are closing,

Friday

  • 4.30 – 9.00 PM (or until the shops close)

Saturday

  • 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM or 
  • 8.30 – 10.00 AM
  • 4.30 – closing.

It is necessary to fill in and sign a form at Croix Rouge beforehand and show a passport and leave a copy of the passport. For those below 18 years of age, the parent has to sign.

Minors need written permission from their parents, and an adult (min 18 years) needs to be in the group of four at any time.

The students need to fill in their REACH forms and take them to the supermarkets, so they can be evaluated and signed or handed in to the Red Cross on the same day.

If you are are interested you can get in touch with the Red Cross:

Please get in touch with:

Catherine Bollard, Tel. +33  474 51 87 84 or  +33 623 84 42 14 e-mail: cathy.bollard@orange.fr. for further information. Mme Bollard speaks French and very little English.
Fiona Roynette Tel:  +33 450 40 60 23  The Red Cross in Prevessin and responsible for the food collection at Leclerc speaks English and French.

Croix-Rouge Française
Délégation Pays de Gex
453, Route du Nant
F-01280 Prévessin-Moëns
France