We received more than 60 entries for themilitary base biodiversity photo competition. One third of the entries were from natural space managers, and two thirds were from Ministry of Defence personnel. Thephotographs were taken across France.
The jury met on 5 February to select the winning entries.
On 24 and 25 October, the Ministry of Defence and CEN Rhône-Alpes presented the latest news on our project to representatives of the European Commission and all Life project owners (an audience of around 40 people).
We also attended the technical and financial workshops, where we learned more about effective project management.
At the start of this year, CEN PACA launched a study on the interactions between military activities and biodiversity. The service provider, CEN Aquitaine, has released its initial results:
-340 military bases are included in the Natura 2000 network
- These are mostly dry grasslands, megaphorbia and coastal environments
- Of the133 habitats of community importancein France, 129 are located at Natura 2000 sites that include a military base
- The network covers 79 of the 83 areas of community importance present across France
This clearly demonstrates, if proof were needed, that military institutions have a vital role to play in protecting France's natural assets. A dedicated forum will take place on this issue at the next CEN seminar on 7 November 2013.
CEN Rhône-Alpes and the French Ministry of Defence have teamed up to launch a photo competition, focusing on biodiversity at military bases. It is open to Ministry of Defence photographers and natural space managers working in partnership with military facilities. Each entrant can submit up to three photos of his/her choice directly to CEN Rhône-Alpes (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
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New military base entry signs have been designed, highlighting the fact that these sites are important biodiversity spaces.
Here are the signs in situ at the Chambaran and Aspretto bases.
