World Wetlands Day, the annual celebration of the signing of the Ramsar Convention for the protection of wetlands on February 2nd 1971 in Iran, was particularly festive at the Tour du Valat this year.
First of all, on Sunday 1 February, more than 250 visitors, including some regulars, came to visit the estate and enjoy the various events organised for our traditional Open Day. On the menu there were trips to the bird hides of Saint-Seren and Rendez-Vous, thematic tours of the estate’s landscapes and its herd of Camargue bulls, screenings of nature films, talks about Mediterranean wetlands and the plan to restore the former salt works, and the tasting of gastronomic specialties produced by wetlands.
Once again the winter weather did not prevent some visitors coming from far and wide to attend this open day. The exceptional opening of the Tour du Valat Estate to the general public is obviously eagerly awaited well beyond the Camargue!
The next day, Monday 2 February was more institutional, the Camargue having been chosen this year for the official launching of WWD in France, with the theme “Wetlands for our Future”, illustrated by two essential dimensions: the role of wetlands in the face of climate changes, and getting young generations involved.
More than 80 people from all over France spent the entire day together at the Tour du Valat, including heads of state services and public institutions, heads of associations, lagoon managers, experts, and young people and children. The aim was for them to meet and exchange opinions in a convivial atmosphere, with two Round Table discussions, followed by field visits to the Tour du Valat Estate and the Camargue National Reserve.
See here [1]or on the website of the Mediterranean Lagoons Transfer Unit (link here opposite) for a more detailed account of this second day.