From the estuary to the quays, the research schooner Tara will sail up the Seine, passing through its locks before mooring at the Port des Invalides in Paris. This is an opportunity for the Tara Ocean Foundation to share our research with the general public and students of the Paris area. In association with Initiatives pour l’Avenir des Grands Fleuves (IAGF) — an activist group committed to the preservation and development of major rivers throughout the world — and the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) — partner in the 2019 Microplastics Mission, the Tara Ocean Foundation will invite candidates in municipal elections to sign the Charter: “Mon territoire s’engage : rivière, fleuve sans plastique, océan protégé” to engage as future mayors in the fight against plastic pollution in rivers to protect the Ocean.

Sailing up rivers to change the course of events

According to the Tara Ocean Foundation and the CNRS, scientific observations are conclusive: to preserve the Ocean — major ecosystem sustaining our planet’s equilibrium — it is imperative to support more ambitious and sustainable management, from land to sea.

“As a river specialist, I strongly believe that the Ocean’s health greatly depends on that of rivers. In turn, the rivers’ health depends on the care provided by people who live nearby, in the heart of watersheds, and on what they discard into the environment. In other words, it all depends on the respect we show to rivers”, says Erik Orsenna, president of IAGF and sponsor of the Tara Ocean Foundation.

Pollution in the open sea originates in watersheds, from ski slopes to the coast. Management of water and waste has a direct impact on preservation of the Ocean and marine biodiversity. Rain running down roads and gutters into lakes, and water flowing in streams and rivers, are all vectors transporting to the Ocean the plastic litter produced by all of us and partially uncollected.

“Plastic and microplastic pollution of rivers must be taken into account in municipal water management programs to preserve rivers and the Ocean and their biodiversity. Is your future mayor aware of his/her responsibility to alert, educate and raise awareness among citizens about the challenges associated with this pollution?”, asks Romain Troublé, executive director of the Tara Ocean Foundation.

An event intended to awaken wonder and promote commitment 

© Julien Girardot / Sea & Co

From February 29 to April 13, through visits of the research schooner, an exhibition and educational activities, the Tara Ocean Foundation will invite young people and adults to dream of adventure and discovery, and reflect on how to preserve our planet and its resources.

On weekdays, school children can come aboard Tara and visit the exhibition installed on the quay. “The schooner Tara and her scientific expeditions are great educational levers to raise awareness and engage young people in current environmental issues, so they become informed citizens. Time spent aboard the schooner, meeting with the people involved in these expeditions, is undoubtedly a rich and stimulating moment for students and their teachers”, says Pascaline Bourgain, in charge of the educational platform at the Tara Ocean Foundation.

Every weekend and Wednesday and Friday afternoon, starting on February 29, the general public will be able to access Tara’s upper deck and visit the exhibition “Tara, à la découverte d’un nouveau monde : l’Océan”. A unique and instructive experience for you and your family to discover how to care for the Ocean, on land and at sea.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

From 29 February to 13 April 2020 inclusive, 2-6 PM on Wednesday and Friday and 10 AM-6.30 PM on Saturday and Sundays (slots might change)

- Coupled ticket – exhibition and upper deck visit of Tara: 8 €, 4 € for 8 to 12 year olds and free for under 8 year olds, online booking only (ticket office opening very soon)
- Exhibition – ticket to be bought on the spot: 6 €, 2 € for 8 to 12 years old and free for children under 8 years old.

Quai de Seine (left bank), Alexandre III bridge, 75007 Paris
Between Pont des Invalides and Pont Alexandre III
Metro: Invalides (line 8) / Franklin Roosevelt (line 1)

More informations on the program
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