Spotlight on (In)visible Biodiversity – Hidden Biodiversity

“Spotlight on (In)visible Biodiversity” is a series of three traveling exhibitions designed and produced by students at the University of Montpellier under the direction of Frédérique Carcaillet, a professor and researcher at the University of Montpellier, director of the Biodiversity Communication and Education track within the Master’s in Environmental Management program, and head of the NaturCom Chair at the UM Foundation.

The first exhibition, “Hidden Biodiversity,” is currently on view at the Maison Départementale de l’Environnement at the Domaine de Restinclières in Prades-le-Lez and will remain there until December 30, 2022. After that, it will go on tour throughout Occitanie.

This first exhibition takes visitors on a journey to discover living creatures that are often hidden from view—concealed in the night, deep within the ocean, or even up in the clouds!

This exhibition features informational panels, various museum displays, and video testimonials from a range of individuals working to promote awareness and protect biodiversity. An educational resource designed for high school students has also been developed and made available to teachers to assist them in guiding students through the exhibition.

This inaugural exhibition was made possible by a number of partners: the University of Montpellier, the University of Montpellier Foundation, the Occitanie Region, Banque Populaire du Sud, UMR MARBEC, CeMEB, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, Andromède Océanologie, and Gombessa Expeditions.