The summer of 2014 was particularly festive at the Tour du Valat, with the celebration of its 60th birthday. Established in 1954 by Luc Hoffmann on an estate with the same name that was very isolated in the middle of the Camargue, over the years the Tour du Valat has been transformed from a biological station principally focussing on the study of birds found in the Camargue into a research centre for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Today, it is recognised for its expertise in wetlands research and conservation, all around the Mediterranean Basin and beyond.
On June 30, numerous institutional, scientific, technical, and financial partners met at the Tour du Valat in a warm and friendly atmosphere with workshops and talks that enabled us to look back at the principal achievement of these 60 years of activity, and to discuss the future issues and the partnerships that must be built to deal with them effectively. Partnership agreements were signed with the CNRS / ecology and environment Institute, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, the MedWet initiative, and the Caisse d’Épargne Provence-Alpes-Corse (bank).
July 1 was a more festive day, bringing together 250 people who had worked at the Tour du Valat either for a short or long-period of time, but always appreciated, and who today make up a true community that has spread our values throughout the world. On the menu were reunions of old friends, speeches, anecdotes, photos, and music, without forgetting the traditional meal served under the plane trees in our big courtyard!
This birthday event also enabled us to officially launch the Friends of the Tour du Valat association, and anyone who shares its values and objectives is invited to join and support it! (see presentation here opposite).
Two short films were made on this occasion to immortalise this event, and can be seen on the Tour du Valat website (click here). A booklet was also published that sums up its 60 years of achievements. It can be downloaded on the website (click here).
Long live the Tour du Valat and wetlands!