CCNet Coach Training participants at Tour du Valat, France, May 2022. Photo: Sara Eastlander

From May 1 – 6, 2022, a group of 24 experienced conservationists discussed and practiced how to support conservation teams during a New Conservation Coaches Training at Tour du Valat, in France. The training was organized by CCNet Europe, sponsored by the MAVA Foundation, and hosted by Tour du Valat. The training team included Catherine Payne (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust), Marko Pećarević (Independent Consultant), Peter Cranswick (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust), and Xavi Escuté (FOS Europe).

Since in-person events have been so rare during the pandemic, this training was an exciting opportunity to re-engage with conservation professionals and coaches-to-be in Europe.

The training took place a the Tour du Valat research institute in la Camargue, a region in southern France between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhône delta–an ideal and inspiring venue for the training! During the training, participants discussed the best ways to support the planning and implementation of impactful conservation projects with their own organizations or as external coaches. The training offered updated coaching-related materials and practice time for participants to strengthen their skills.

Participants came from 18 organizations in 16 countries, including the MAVA team and MAVA partner organizations, non-governmental organizations from Europe and beyond, and three European universities (University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein in the Netherlands, Matej Bel University in Slovakia, and HNE Eberswalde University in Germany). Two participants were independent consultants.

From the trainers’ perspective, the event was a great opportunity to share

experiences and learn from a fantastic team of professional conservationists and to get a lot of energy from the group!

Visit the CCNet Europe website to learn more.