Trekking Mont-Blanc: Counting blueberries, tadpoles, and bumblebees to assess climate change impact

While tens of thousands trek the Tour du Mont Blanc each summer, a different kind of exploration is underway, one focused not on performance but on the delicate alpine environment. Scientists have created a way to experience the mountains that is rich and sensitive, offering a deeper connection to the natural world.

This journey begins before dawn at the Loriaz refuge, high above Vallorcine. Participants awaken to the subtle symphony of birdsong, a gentle introduction to the ecosystem. The day's activities involve citizen science: counting blueberries, observing the development of common frogs, and recording bumblebee populations. These actions are directly linked to understanding the effects of climate change on the region.

The 'JADE' project, a collaboration between the Centre for Alpine Ecosystem Research (CREA) of Mont-Blanc and the Flore-Alpe Alpine Garden in Champex-Lac, guides participants through this immersive experience. The goal is to foster a tangible link between the participants' observations and the broader environmental shifts occurring in the Alps.

As the sun rises, casting light on the Valaisan peaks and the blue-tinged glaciers, the participants spread out across the alpine meadow. Guided by naturalist Irene Alvarez, they are encouraged to simply listen, to absorb the sounds of the mountains. Despite the call for silence, names of bird species like pipits, larks, and warblers are identified, sharing the sky and the landscape with the human observers.