From the French Camargue to the Turkish Gediz, the PROZHUM project connects the deltas

As part of the PROZHUM Project (Protection and Restoration of Wetlands in the Mediterranean), a four-day exchange was hosted by Tour du Valat, with the participation of Doğa Derneği and the Mediterranean Conservation Society (Akdeniz Koruma Derneği) from Türkiye. The event brought together experts to foster an in-depth exchange of knowledge on wetland restoration, focusing on management systems, monitoring methods, restoration objectives, and best practices.

 

© Tour du Valat

 

The exchange aimed to showcase experiences from wetland restoration activities in the Camargue, southern France, through a series of field visits highlighting different approaches to ecological recovery and sustainable management:

  • Former Salt Works of the Camargue – Participants explored the outcomes of large-scale renaturalisation efforts, including the ongoing creation of temporary ponds supporting damselfly reproduction and the restoration of large salt steppe areas.
  • Vigueirat Marshes – The visit demonstrated how environmental education and awareness activities can be integrated into restored wetland areas (https://www.marais-vigueirat.reserves-naturelles.org/).
  • Cassaïre Marshes – Experts showed how renewable energy can be used to support the restoration of temporary wetlands and enhance local ecosystem services.
  • Verdier Marshes – This community-led project transformed a former fishpond into a mosaic of wetlands that now provide diverse opportunities for local residents (https://www.lesmaraisduverdier.fr/).
  • Participatory bat monitoring – Organized by the RestChirEau project, this activity offered an exceptional hands-on experience. The visiting delegation contributed to the study of ecological corridors and helped identify potential restoration sites to improve habitat connectivity.

This exchange was carried out within the framework of the Gediz Delta Restoration Project, a local initiative in Türkiye supported by the PROZHUM program. The project aims to restore temporary wetlands that have been impacted by climate change (increased droughts) by increasing fresh water inputs into the system using treated water from the local wastewater treatment center. Learn more about the Gediz Delta Restoration Project here.

 

© Doğa Derneği

 

© Doğa Derneği

 

About the PROZHUM Project

Funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and coordinated by Tour du Valat, the PROZHUM project seeks to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) across the southern and eastern Mediterranean to conserve and restore wetlands. It supports 26 local projects in 10 countries, building upon three key networks — the ROEM, the Mediterranean Alliance for Wetlands, and the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory.

By fostering collaboration, shared expertise, and hands-on support, PROZHUM empowers CSOs to implement restoration initiatives at multiple scales — from large projects to micro-level conservation actions. Its overarching goal is to enhance the resilience, sustainability, and ecological integrity of Mediterranean wetlands, while raising awareness among decision-makers about their ecological status and vital role in the region’s environmental balance.

Learn more about the PROZHUM Project here.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Ernoul, Tour du Valat
ernoul@tourduvalat.org