The Bagnas Nature Reserve welcomed the members of the Children's Municipal Council (CME) on June 17th. Hosted by Amélie, project manager at ADENA (Association for the Defense of the Environment and Nature of the Agde region), at the Domaine du Grand Clavelet site, the children began their day in an educational room. Amélie presented the reserve, its natural environments, and the species that inhabit it, initiating a true nature investigation to identify animals from clues and tracks.
In the field, in the heart of Petit Bagnas, the young councilors observed numerous birds such as grey herons, egrets, and black-headed gulls. The visit also included a surprising discovery of bats, first seen in photos and then up close in a jar. A secret message decoding game then revealed the diversity of plants in the reserve, adapted to different environments, and discreet mammals like the genet were spotted on camera trap images.
This encounter sparked great enthusiasm, leading the councilors to express their wish to join ADENA to concretely support its local nature protection efforts. The process is underway.
The second significant visit was to the Agde Municipal Police's equestrian brigade, the young councilors' top choice. Welcomed by Valérie, chief brigadier, and Jordi, animal cruelty referent, 16 CME members discovered the daily life of this unit.
The children learned about the paddocks and stables, the horses' consumption, and met the brigade's three four-legged 'team members': Dandy, Lancelot, and Houston. They also had the opportunity to get hands-on by brushing manes and cleaning hooves.
An awareness session on animal protection was provided by Jordi, explaining how to recognize cruelty and the appropriate actions to take when witnessing it. Other visits are planned, including to the Agde fire station (SDIS 34), the SET Central Kitchen, and the Urban Supervisor Center.
