AdNatura: A Success Story from UM
For this latest edition, the national trade show for professionals in ecology and biodiversity—renamed AdNatura—took place at the Arena on December 12 and 13. This event, the only one of its kind in France, brought together more than 3,000 visitors, 400 speakers, and over 80 exhibitors.
Organized by the Ecology Fair Association, based at the University of Montpellier, AdNaturais the must-attend event for professionals in the fields of ecology and biodiversity in France. This event is organized by students in the Master’s program in Ecology and Biodiversity Management (IEGB) at theUM Faculty of Sciences. “For the past 15 years, this annual event has served above allto bring together, highlight, and promote stakeholders in the fields of ecology and biodiversity. For our students and future graduates, the ecological transitionmeansnot only making existing professions more environmentally friendly butalsothe emergence of new professions,” explains the fair’s founder, Olivier Thaler, Professor director of the IEGB master’s program.
An Educational Approach Aimed at Promoting Employment
The challenges associated with biodiversity loss have given rise to new recruitment needs and professional structures in applied ecology. AdNaturais behind an educational project that is part of a methodological course on “Project Management” within the Master’s degree program (IEGB). Through organizing this event, students take on leadership roles as administrators of the“EcologyFair” association: president , treasurer, communications manager, logistics manager, sustainability manager, and more.“Project management is an essential skill for a professional at the master’s level. This approach allows us toimmerse ourselves inreal-worldsituationsin collaboration withindustrystakeholders.Furthermore, the diversity of our academic backgrounds andthe contribution of multidisciplinary knowledge bring real richness andcomplementarity to the implementation of these projects,” says an IEGB master’s student atUM.
Every student participates in a project to assist project owners and contractors. Adnaturabrings together a career and education fair, a scientific and technical conference, and professional networking events. Future ecological engineers coordinate the event’s highlights and the activities of the student and volunteer teams. This is an opportunity for them to learn how to network.
Local Roots and International Reach
AdNaturaaims to become the premier international trade show for professionals in the fields of ecology and biodiversity. With a budget of €350,000, it could be supported by an ad hoc organization under the direction of a steering committee. Building on this success, the collective effort will continue to strengthen ties with stakeholders in order to attract more students, job seekers, businesses, local governments, elected officials, and citizens.
“Ecology and the city of Montpellier are intrinsically linked,” adds Olivier Thaler.UM second in the world in ecology according to the Shanghai subject-specific rankings. We benefit from a tremendous legacy of 60 years of achievements by the scientific and academic community.”