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Results of the 2011 environment request for proposals!

 

Since the creation of the Foundation, we have already received over 450 applications files; 45 projects are currently ongoing in the Foundation’s three action fields: safety, research and mainly scientific study of ice cascades. In the framework of the request for proposals relative to the environment launched in 2007, over 16 projects have already been followed up.

 

This year is a good one, with projects more and more compliant with the selection criteria and Petzl’s activities. Eight projects have been selected, five validated, to which the Foundation will contribute for a total of 30,000 euros in 2011.

 The first project is clearly related to the Petzl Foundation’s values: preservation of an exceptional natural site highly attended and appreciated by climbers, Cochamo in Chili.The association Conservacion Cochamo is committed to protecting this granite site, key for climbers and considered as the “Chilean Yosemite”, currently threatened by a project of building a hydraulic dam.
 
The other supported projects are also in link with the verticality field:
 
> One project launched in partnership with the Fédération Française de la Montagne et de l’Escalade (French Mountain and Climbing Association)concernsthe island of La Réunion and aims at developing nesting zones for the red-billed tropicbird while extending the nearby climbing sites. The reproduction of this bird, emblematic of the island, is indeed threatened by the metal nets installed on the cliffs to protect roads, which make it difficult for the bird to nest.
 
> A Foundation’s “crush” project, linked to verticality, is the protection of the monk seal in Mauritania, as it is one of the ten animal species that are the most threatened in the world. To look after these seals, technicians regularly go down to caves near the sea at the feet of cliffs, and therefore need to be trained to climbing.
 
 
 
> A project that reinforces the actions led by the Foundation in terms of birds of prey is the development of a new telemetry system to learn about the vital fields of the Bonelli eagle and implement a relevant division of the territory with climbers. This project has been launched in association with the CEA LETI laboratory of Grenoble, specialist in communication. The outcomes of this system will also be applied to other species.
 
> Lastly, we have a project aiming at making cavers more aware of biodiversity and bats, with a training program for professionals attending national-qualification training, and amateur cavers. This project will be launched in 2011-2013 in partnership with the Fédération Française de Spéléologie (French caving association).
 
 
Next date for submission of new projects: June 2011