France Environmental Conservation

After oil spills occured in France in 1999 and 2002 and similar disasters took place elsewhere in Europe, both France and the EU enacted strict pollution controls to protect coastal areas. Yet France’s natural resources still face challenges, and individual volunteers continue to supplement government funds and efforts to preserve the environment.

Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects (CADIP), 129-1271 Howe St., Vancouver, BC V6Z 1R3, Canada (☎+1-604-628-7400; www.cadip.org). Specializes in programs for environmental activism and historical renovation throughout France. Most projects last 2-3 weeks. Program fee US$300; includes room and board.
Centres Permanents d’Initiatives pour l’Environnement (CPIE), 26 rue Beaubourg, 75003 Paris (☎01 44 61 75 35; www.cpie.fr). Organizes environmentally centered volunteer programs in mainland France, Corsica, and some Francophone countries.
Organisation Mondiale de Protection de l’Environnement, 1 Carrefour de Longchamp, 75116 Paris (☎01 55 25 84 84; www.wwf.fr). Offers various opportunities for environmental activism regarding issues like climate change, endangered species, and sustainable living. Part of the World Wildlife Fund. Sites around France and the EU.
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), WWOOF France, 2 pl. Diderot, 94300 Vincennes (www.wwoof.fr). Provides volunteers the opportunity to learn first-hand organic farming techniques, such as biodynamic, permaculture, and micro-agriculture. Volunteers receive room and board in exchange for work on organic farms. Must purchase book with a list of 300+ host farms (€25, €15 for electronic version).