P-WAC at the Conservation Weekend
Second Occasion for P-WAC at the Conservation Weekend !
This year once again, The Friends of the Lyon Zoo Association, held a Conservation Weekend on June 13 and 14. On the program: meet with the public, educational activities, conference sessions, and particularly sharing of our projects among conservation groups.
Sonia, P-WAC volunteer recounts:
Sonia
“This was the first time I participated in the conservation weekend and I was very happy to meet different assocations and to be able to communicate with them. It was extremely interesting to learn about the progress of the different projects at the time of the conference and I met passionate people, sincere and especially passionate. Unfortunately, while there was great weather, the public at the zoo did not attend the conservation sessions, while the next day, when it rained, P-WAC had a lot of great encounters.”
Véronique, P-WAC Vice Secretary:
Véronique
“The welcome from Friends of the Lyon Zoo was very warm.
There could have been more signage about the event in the Park to direct and attract more people. Despite the damp weather in the morning, the few people who stopped by were motivated and showed great interest. The drier afternoon allowed us to welcome a few more people to the booth and I found people open to the discussions we had. Our project was really appreciated. The conversations with other associations in attendance were just as interesting since we did have a few things in common! And that was enjoyable: you feel less alone! Finally, having discovered an eco-friendly spread at one of the booths that was almost identical to the famous brand was a great discovery….a highly relevant find!”
You have by now realized that the bad weather limited the number of visitors, but the quality was certainly there! The P-WAC team was thrilled to meet up with members of the founding organization, as well as with similar conservation projects. Gibbons, hamsters, chimpanzees… a number species were represented.
Amandine, our founder, rediscovered Laura, a former volunteer with C.C.C.
Amandine with the P-WAC team as well as Laura and the CCC team.
“The public can’t always be receptive to our mission. For many, Africa … it’s far away, and chimpanzees are far from a priority. But this type of activity is necessary because, after all, there are always a few people to be reached. And that’s the most important thing: these people, once their awareness is raised, will be able to pass along the message and, in turn, raise the awareness of others. A pretty significant ricochet effect!! For my part, this event allowed me to present the progress P-WAC has made in the last year (in 2014, our booth was almost empty and we were unknown in the conservation world). This year, I was very touched by everyone’s encouragement about our Association’s progress. This allows us, who are always buried in the work of the mission, to get a fresh view from the outside. Very encouraging and motivating. Then, I have to admit, it’s also a way to catch up with old friends! Marilou, Robert, principle organizers and friends, who we thanked warmly! Then after a year of email exchanges, I had the pleasure to meet Laura and to chat with her, being equally passionate about chimpanzees.”
This weekend was also a chance to have some fun with children. Through games, coloring activities and origami, we were able to make them aware of the great ape cause. And while Stéphanie took care of them, the parents questioned us to learn more!
Sonia explaining our project to Zoo staff.
Coloring, Origami, something to do while increasing awareness!
Chantal and Sonia, pleased to have a new Newsletter subscriber. Thank you, Ophélie !
Stéphanie, Sonia and the children
Amandine and Laurie, anthropology student at the University of Lyon, meet at the booth.
We also made a presentation on Sunday, in order to give an update on our project on the ground. This allowed us to give more information in pictures and also to learn about other projects !
P-WAC presentation
P-WAC presentation
Finally, a few images of the weekend.
A new species of great ape
Chimpanzee masks
Stéphanie and a little one
Coloring session
Drawing by Sophia
Sonia making origamis
Origami gorillas
Decoupage workshop
Drawings for free. The children were pleased to put some coins in our collection tin.
A dad and his daughter
A mom, French professor, and a supporter of our cause!
Team P-WAC, posing at the booth
Stéphanie, Véronique, Sonia, Samuel and Amandine
Parents and kids, interested in our mission
A dad who’s already informed about the great apes cause!
Samuel, in the middle of an origami project
Samuel
P-WAC and AZL. Thanks again to them for the week-end
Véronique and Samuel, Sunday afternoon
Little ones are always curious!
Sonia, eating a palm-oil free tasty spread…
…made possible by our neighbors, the Ecological Conscience Impact Association
Our last visitors of the weekend …
… with their children.
A well earned break at the end of the day!
Maybe future volunteers?
All the participants of the weekend!
Thanks to Marilou and Robert, thanks to the caregiver team at the Zoo who put this event together. Thanks to the volunteers of the other projects. Even if the other associations are well-known, it’s always great to put a face to the people who are part of them! Thanks to our team for participating this weekend, despite the slightly cold weather.