Our campuses are bustling with activity!
As preserved spaces in the heart of the city, the University of Montpellier’s campuses are teeming with unexpected life…
Raise awareness about biodiversity conservation
Did you know that on the lush Triolet campus, squirrels, Mauritanian tarants, foxes, and other martens live side by side? Not everyone is always lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these very elusive neighbors. That’s why the University of Montpellier Naturalist Group (GNUM) gave the public a chance to discover this hidden world during the “24 Hours of Biodiversity” event held on April 20 and 21.
This event, open to the general public, featured various associations from theUM Faculty of SciencesUM activities on the Triolet campus to raise awareness about the challenges of protecting biodiversity, particularly in urban areas. Many school classes were also in attendance: the association’s goal was to raise awareness from a very young age. It was also an opportunity to deepen participants’ knowledge of nature (flora and fauna) and to learn about photography or naturalist drawing.
Raising awareness about the flora and fauna found in the city
“Biodiversity loss is a terrible reality, whether in rural areas or in cities. It is therefore important for citizens to take ownership of this issue. Another goal is to increase ecological knowledge about the flora and fauna living in cities. This scientific knowledge will be very useful for studying the biology and dynamics of certain species,” explains Guillaume Bagnolini, science communicator and co-author of the Faculty of Sciences’ *Petit guide naturaliste* (A Naturalist’s Guide), the result of a collaborative inventory project carried out over three years byUM students. This initiative, known as *Inventaire Fac* (the campus biodiversity observatory), is being highlighted at this event.