Green water activities

This is the question that many people ask themselves. For decades, France has been trying to put in place tools to protect its natural areas. Indeed, faced with environmental upheavals, it is important to study our behavior and ecological impact in the world around us.

Besides water sports and activities are part of the disciplines in harmony with nature. So, let’s discover together how the different structures and organizations act in favor of the protection of the environment.

The Natura 2000 network gathers natural or semi-natural sites in the European Union to be part of an ecological and solidarity-based transition. In France, there are nearly 1780 natural sites. The objective of this network is to find a balance between conservation and exploitation. That is to say, to create a space where nature can flourish while supporting responsible human activities.

Natura 2000 is the largest network of protected areas in the world. It represents 18% of the EU territory, 26,000 terrestrial and marine sites and more than 1,000 endangered species protected. Each country maintains a national action in favor of biodiversity.

In France, the perimeters of the sites were delimited in 2005, they were then mapped and divided into management units. There are 14 different management units. A management unit groups environments that have similar biological stakes and that must be managed in the same way (such as UG2 = priority open environments / UG8 = native forests of great biological interest).

To preserve biodiversity, there are general management measures that apply to all sites. For example, in agricultural areas, plowing of permanent grassland is prohibited. In forestry, softwoods cannot be planted within 12 meters of the banks of a watercourse. In addition to the general measures, there are specific measures for each management unit.

For more information, consult natura 2000 to learn more about

There are many sports and activities that at first glance seem to be neutral in terms of environmental impact. Most people think that outdoor activities are synonymous with ecology. Well, it’s not! Think again, few activities are actually considered green. Golf, for example, has a strong impact on its natural space with the use of large quantities of water to keep the greens green.

Keeping the sea clean is one of the main concerns of water sports enthusiasts. Water sports like windsurfing, surfing, sailing or kitesurfing have a low impact on the environment. Indeed, these activities are practiced by playing with the forces of nature: the wind and the sea. This limits their carbon footprint because they do not depend on an engine. 

As for nature sports, we also find canoeing, kayaking and paddling. These disciplines are an immersion in nature. What could be better than a river trip to discover the fauna and flora? This is what creates the charm and richness of these activities. The boats and the paddle system allow you to come into contact with nature in a respectful way.

Acting in favor of the protection of the environment requires a constant commitment and involvement by various actors and you are part of it. You are even considered as field actors!

Practicing an activity is good, but practicing an activity while paying attention to the natural space is even better. Here are some simple gestures you can implement when practicing your activities. 

• Waste management: it is a primordial gesture if you want to respect the environment. When you go to the spot, remember to pick up and throw away your waste so as not to leave it in the middle of nature. Even a small piece of plastic is bad for the environment.
• Between 2 sessions of canyoning, canoeing or kayaking, remember to clean your equipment properly to avoid the transport of bacteria from one course to another.
• Pay attention to the plant species along the banks and in the water. These are living species that are often overlooked.

The spots and structures that offer water activities, establish a more responsible approach. The network Natura 2000 defines the natural area, as a result many actors mobilize to guarantee the right development of the biodiversity.
By the way, those actors mission is to protect the threaten areas and environments. Furthermore, they encourage the respect in the tourism, the silviculture, the agriculture and the sustainable fishing.

If you have the opportunity to visit this spot, you will be able to discover the biodiversity the is there. With Arnaud and his team, you will learn many things about the place, the region and the natural species.

Arnaud’s advice: “we have an access that is not the same in each pond. Navigating in the middle is not a problem, on the other hand you should not get too close to the banks or go along them because it is where the birds go to nest and there is a risk of damaging certain vegetation.”

You want to do some canoe in the gorges of the south of France ? Discover our article on the subject #Spotymag