A few days after returning to university, the program is already busy.
In September, it is a question of discovering the flora of the campus, strolling in a marsh, observing birds, watching a film in the open air in an urban farm in organic agriculture, taking part in a naturalist inventory to follow the evolution of the biodiversity… Soon, it will be time to go to the mushrooms, to listen to the roar of the deer or to survey the foreshore to identify molluscs and crustaceans.
In La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), the Blairoudeurs' diary of outings is more and more extensive.
“This year, we went all out!
And we have people interested in our actions, ”says Eugénie Roy, member of this association created in November 2020 by a group of friends, biology students from the University of La Rochelle.
Noting "an absence of link between youth and the naturalist world", the founders have the ambition to "reconnect" these two worlds.
Nature awakening time
“Young people will want to protect their environment by getting to know it,” says the volunteer, a professional baker.
These times of awakening to nature are not reserved for students, all young people are welcome.
And you don't need to be a specialist to set foot in the field.
Curiosity will suffice.
The concept has been emulated, since Blairoudeurs opened a branch - "a den" - in Chambéry (Savoie) in October 2021. Precisely on the Bourget-du-Lac campus of the Savoie Mont Blanc University.
At the foot of the mountains, members have access to a specific and fragile biodiversity, which they learn to protect.
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Then a Parisian den was born on the campus of Agro Paris Tech, the institute of life sciences and industries and the environment.
The biodiversity of the site and the farming world are at the heart of their actions, as well as interventions in surrounding schools and colleges.
“In La Rochelle, we would also like to set up awareness workshops in schools.
This summer we notably created a game on the local fauna and flora which could be integrated into animations.
But these are only projects, we need volunteers, ”underlines Eugénie Roy.
On the three corners of France, the association brings together about 200 people and hopes to swell the ranks.
For more information:
https://www.blairoudeurs.fr