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. Faced with environmental upheavals, it is important to study our behavior and ecological impact in the world around us.
Water sports and activities are part of the disciplines in harmony with nature. Let's discover together how the different structures and organizations act in favor of the protection of the environment.
Natural 2000 : a wide ecological european comunity
"There is no future without healthy nature"
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.
How it works ?
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).
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For more information, consult natura 2000 to learn more about
Water activities and respect for natural areas
Nature activities
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. |  |
Actions to take
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.
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One of the main concerns that remains is the composition of materials and boats. As for the wind turbines, the operation is ecological but the composition of the materials is much less so. The equipment is not 100% eco-friendly.
The good news is that many efforts are mobilized by manufacturers who are actively working on the production of innovative and environmentally friendly models. This is the example of surfing. Recently, American students have produced the first eco-friendly surfboard made from seaweed oil. Starboard, one of the references in the sector, designs boards made of organic epoxy resin.
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