Cédric Larrodé, co-founder, director and mediator

Cédric Larrodé, portrait

Port-Cros National Park

Working together with the Parc national de Port-Cros is part of our DNA!

After a degree in geography and a double Masters in Pau in "Socio-environmental Expertise" and "Regional Planning", Cédric Larrodé, born in Dax in the Landes region of France, began teaching history and geography in secondary schools. His first move was between the Paris region and Toulon. Cédric didn't hesitate, and took a test to teach French in vocational high schools in addition to history-geography. After arriving at Toulon's Lycée Claret in 2009, he spent seven years specializing in classes for young people in difficulty..

In 2014, he discovered the associative field "by chance" with a friend who works at the Petits^{Débrouillards1} association. He quickly became involved as a volunteer animator, doing science mediation and experimentation workshops with children. " Then I was offered a part-time position, first, then a full-time one". Four years later, spurred on by "the desire to continue in the associative sphere", Cédric and a friend, Florian Nicolas, set up the association Budding researchers. Their aim?

To awaken critical thinking by approaching science in general, the environment and culture with all publics and by all possible means.

As head of the organization and in charge of development, Cédric continues to work in the field half of the time, " mainly with young people throughout the department ". Chercheurs en herbe now has nine employees and five areas of activity: Science, Environment, Awareness-raising, Culture and ^Gardens2.

I was already working with the National Park on various ^projects3 through Les Petits Débrouillards and above all the CIETM (Collectif d'initiatives pour l'environnement), of which I was president. Chercheurs en herbe joined the CIETM as soon as it was created, and began collaborating with the Parc national on the Aires Terrestres Éducatives, the rendez-vous du Parc national, and recently the regional Calypso project with high school students. Integrating the brand for walks on the islands, particularly Porquerolles, where we were already working in partnership with the Carmignac Foundation, was a logical next step.

The Chercheurs en herbe proposal is a naturalistic and cultural stroll to discover the natural spaces and history of Porquerolles.

For us, the Esprit Parc Nationallabel is a form of recognition of the quality and rigor of our work, as well as our commitment. It encourages us to make progress, because we're running out of time... It's given us a boost! Working together with the Parc National de Port-Cros is part of our DNA! We don't work on our own; sharing is one of our core values. What's more, we're members of numerous networks in the department and the region... because together, we're stronger! We promote this distinction on our website and in our publications on social networks. It gives us a higher profile in the National Park area, and we're looking forward to exchanging ideas with other award winners in the future!