During and right after the congress, there will be several social events for those of you that decide to participate in person.
There will be a half day tour during the week to the Mercantour National Park, organised by the park itself in collaboration with the Alpi Marittime Park.
We will also be organising a social dinner and our very traditional silent auction – we would like everyone to bring at least one otter-themed object to the congress, which will then be given to the highest bidder. All funds collected will be given to the IUCN/SSC OSG for conservation projects around the world.
After dinner, we will be projecting otter-themed movies and documentaries. If you have any otter footage to share, please contact us!
Post Congress Tour: once the congress is over, the Gran Paradiso National Park will organise a longer tour to discover the scenic Italian Alps. Please click here to download the flyer.
The tour will take place in Valsavarenche, one of the 5 valleys of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Here we can find the Centro Acqua e Biodiversità, devoted to local scientific research and environmental education. This centre hosts 5 Eurasian otters that act as ambassador of aquatic ecosystem conservation. Through this Centre, the Park is also working for a Common Alpine Strategy to aid in the return of otters and their habitat, together with other Alpine areas.
The environment is typically alpine (the bottom of the valley is 1500 meters above sea level!) and there is a variety of excursions that can be done.
Preliminary program
23 Sept, afternoon: leave Sospel, towards Eaux Rousse Valsavarenche (about a 5 hours drive) .
24 Sept : hike in Pont Valsavarenche, lunch in the hotel and afternoon visit to see the otters at the Centro Acqua e Biodiversità.
25 Sept: excursion to Orvieille, Re Vittorio Emanuele II’s old hunting cabin, now used by the Suirvellance Service and the Scientific Service of the Park.
26 Sept: excursion to Levionaz, field area of Alpine ibex or visit to Cogne valley, depending on availability.
Depending on the number of participants, we will have a Nature Guide for the excursions, we will meet with Park Rangers, explaining us part of their job and we will talk about ongoing scientific research.
Price Range is still to be determined but can be based on the following: Hotel Half Board (65€ per night); Lunch (5-20€ per day); Bus costs (tbd)
Please write to 15.ioc.2022@gmail.com to reserve your place or for any info you may need.