On March 25, 2024, the Syndicat mixte des gorges du Gardon, with the help of an environmental educator who participated in the first training, took a sophomore class from Dhuoda High School in Nîmes. 31 students aged 15 to 17 discovered the natural heritage of the Gardon Gorges in Collias during a hike. At the beginning of the visit, each student was assigned a plant emblematic of the different natural environments found in the Gardon Gorges. The students were asked to collect the plant assigned to them, take photos of it, and describe the environment in which it was found. The collected plants were used for the herbarium board design and scientific plant identification workshop.

The visit was organized in partnership with the teachers of the high school and the Maison de l’Europe de Nîmes. The class traveled to Collias by bus, which was funded thanks to the Erasmus+ grant. The rules to be followed in a protected natural area were presented at the beginning of the visit. Four natural habitats and the array of plant species were visited and described:

  • Anthropized riverbanks and undergrowth,
  • Riparian forest,
  • Cliffs,
  • Garrigue.

An explanation of ecological succession was also given, as the Gardon Gorges are highly susceptible to fire risk, which is increasing due to climate change.