In recent years, military bases have been involved in the environment, such as the Garrigues military camp in Gard. Cartridge collection, recycling… here the soldiers turn green. #IlsOntLaSolution
The French army is in charge of many missions, but environmental protection is undoubtedly the least known. However, since 2012, at the Garrigues camp in the Gard near Nîmes, soldiers have been in charge of the mission “Life Defense Nature 2mil”. A commitment to combine military activities and respect for biodiversity, supported by the European Union.
Among his actions, collecting cartridges after each shooting training. These used munitions are then recycled and prevent soil pollution. More than the necessary measures, this site classified Natura 2000, a nomenclature that designates a protected area at European level for its fragile biodiversity.
This surprising cohabitation between the army and wildlife is proving its worth. Several protected species live near the camp. Among them, Bonelli’s eagle, flying over the neighboring canyons or “the European beekeeper that nests in our combat village“explains Damien Bruni, responsible for operational remediation and biodiversity.
These initiatives were made possible thanks to agreements signed between the Ministry of Armed Forces and Ecology. Currently, more than forty French military installations participate in this agreement, a number that could well increase in the coming years. Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, declared last week at the World Conservation Congress that she wanted to make the army a “a voluntary and committed actor in favor of the energy transition and the preservation of biodiversity“