The report paints an alarming picture : more than half of historic wetlands have disappeared, and the trend continues to be negative. Urbanization, agricultural intensification, overexploitation of water, and climate change are putting increasing pressure on these environments. But it also emphasizes a message of hope : far from being mere victims, wetlands are essential allies in the face of major crises in the Mediterranean.

Last chance to participate in the National Wetlands Research and Management Forum from November 19 to 21 in Arles! 

Between field visits and small group workshops focused on collective intelligence, this event will help to develop concrete solutions to promote dialogue and sharing between stakeholders involved in wetland protection in France.

Organized by the Tour du Valat and supported by the OFB, in partnership with the Ministry for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Sea, and Fisheries.

📝  Registration before October 8

Join us for this free event, which already has over 100 participants!

Taking action to protect the large-stigma dragonfly through crowdfunding

For the past few days, the crowdfunding platform Flamingo.eco has been hosting a project dedicated to restoring a temporary brackish pond in the Camargue, a habitat essential to the survival of the rare and endangered Lestes macrostigma.
Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to realizing this project and gives you access to various rewards. Spread the word and help us grow this initiative !

Columba Martinez-Espinosa elected President of the European Section of the Society of Wetlands Scientists

On July 2, 2025, Columba Martinez-Espinosa was elected President of the European Section of the Society of Wetlands Scientists (SWS), founded with the aim of bringing together scientists and experts in wetlands across Europe. During her term of office, she hopes to strengthen ties between the Tour du Valat and the SWS, promote the Tour du Valat's scientific and management support work among management networks in Europe, and step up advocacy for the protection of these environments.

Launch of a new MOOC on waterbird conservation in North Africa and the Sahel

The RESSOURCE project is launching a free online training course dedicated to the conservation of waterbirds in North Africa and the Sahel. Available in French on the IUCN-PAPACO (Program on African Protected Areas and Conservation) MOOC-Conservation platform, this course offers an advanced introduction to the identification of waterbirds in the region and to counting techniques.

New staff for the agroecology programme at the Tour du Valat

Two new recruits have joined the Tour du Valat team working on its agroecological farm: Katrina Müller, an oenologist, and Mario Bourcin, who is responsible for the commercial development of our products.

Their arrival will contribute to giving even greater quality, visibility and recognition to Tour du Valat products, which are the result of farming practices that combine expertise, innovation and respect for biodiversity.

More than 400 young black-headed gulls ringed on the salt marshes of Hyères

Organized annually in collaboration with the Bird Protection League, the banding of black-headed gull chicks allows for the monitoring of this rare and endangered species in France. At the end of June, 403 yellow-legged gull chicks (Larus genei) were ringed on the salt marshes of Hyères. Owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral and managed by the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis, this site is home to one of the few breeding colonies of yellow-legged gulls in France.