the mountain call






The associations we support

Quechua supports and accompanies associations each year as part of its call for projects: The Mountain Call ⛰
Check out the projects selected for 2022

We want to act for our playground. We know we have an impact on nature, and that nature also has an impact on people.
Today, we’re proud to commit our support to associations which act to limit our impact and understand our environment.
Here are the projects we’re supporting this year 👇🏻

OUR SOLIDARITY ACTIONS

The foundation of the university of Grenoble - France

The Foundation of the University of Grenoble initiates meetings between committed pioneers and explorers.
Led by Samuel Vergès, Inserm researcher and physiologist, the Mountain Altitude Health Research Chair conducts research on the impact of life in the mountains (high and medium altitude) on our health.
Studying the reactions of the human body exposed to the mountains and activities associated with them (housing, leisure, work, etc.) is particularly important to us to improve our knowledge of our mountain environment.

Here are their 3 main lines of research :
- adaptations and mal-adaptations of the human body related to altitude
- outdoor mountain sports practices
- hypoxia as a means of improving health and performance.

The projects we’re carrying out with them?

- Expedition 5300 :
Rare populations that have been geographically and genetically isolated for several generations offer a unique testing ground for human adaptation. That’s why the team launched the Expedition 5300 project, a scientific and humanitarian programme in the highest town in the world, La Rinconada, in Peru.
- Exalt : The centre for expertise on altitude aims to support mountain medicine, research, training, information and prevention in connection with the practices and issues of the mountains, altitude and hypoxia.

OUR SOLIDARITY ACTIONS

Alternare – Mexico

For more than 22 years, this Mexican non-profit organisation has worked uninterruptedly to preserve the monarch butterfly's hibernation zone while safeguarding local knowledge.

It promotes, hand in hand with the rural communities and the Ejidos who inhabit the region, technological innovation through a transformation strategy, made up of four programmes and three lines of action: "The Comprehensive Sustainable Development Model (CSDM)".

The aim?
To train the communities that live in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve so that they can support their well-being and contribute to the conservation of the migratory phenomenon and all the biodiversity of the region. This requires a change of attitude towards the use, management and promotion of their natural resources to guarantee the regeneration of the environment.

OUR SOLIDARITY ACTIONS

The conservatory of natural areas of Haute-Savoie - France

The Haute-Savoie Conservatory of Natural Spaces (Asters-CEN 74) performs a mission of general interest on the knowledge, expertise and management of natural spaces, species, environments and landscapes.
That makes it the manager, among other things, of the 9 nature reserves of Haute-Savoie,
which are of course part of our special areas of practice.
It is therefore essential for us to raise awareness, inform and act alongside them on environmental issues.

Today, ASTERS leads and implements an action plan in the French Alps, with the national parks (Vanoise, Ecrins, Mercantour, the Regional Natural Park of Vercors and Baronnies), associations such as the LPO (La Protection des Oiseaux/Protection of Birds), Envergures Alpes, Vautours en Baronnies, institutions (OFB, the State) in connection with companies (Enedis, RTE, ski areas, etc.) and socio-professionals (sports federations, etc.).

OUR SOLIDARITY ACTIONS

Their project:

In 2022, we’re supporting: ICE & LIFE, an innovative project combining science and nature conservation to look after current and future glaciers and ice-free areas.
Led by glaciologist Jean Baptiste BOSSON, it aims to study the creation of lakes resulting from the melting of glaciers in the Alps and around the world. These new environments are rich in biodiversity, future points for attracting hikers, significant freshwater reserves, but also present risks for the populations living downstream.

This will be the first interdisciplinary study and the first action plan to understand and sustainably manage these unique, fundamental ecosystems (water management, protection of biodiversity, carbon storage, natural hazard mitigation, human activities, etc.).
Since 2022 (and until 2025), collection work has started to begin data analysis to produce scientific publications. They will serve as communication and management tools.

The Haute-Savoie Conservatory has also been involved from the start in the programme for the reintroduction and conservation of the Bearded Vulture in the Alps. A project we decided to support in 2021, for which you’ll find details below!

OUR SOLIDARITY ACTIONS

Outdoor sports valley - sponsorship programme "we act"

Initiated by the Outdoor Sports Valley association and run jointly with the Mountain Cluster, We ACT aims to unite and mobilise all mountain players for the maintaining of natural spaces and the promotion of different practices.
We ACT is the flagship environmental sponsorship programme for the outdoor sector, which operates by supporting actions with high added value for our environment.
Being in the heart of the Mont Blanc valley and a major player in the outdoor market, we’re committed to this sponsorship programme.

OUR SOLIDARITY ACTIONS

The we act 2022 project - car-free adventures by pow

In 2022, the Adventures without a car project, led by the Protect Our Winters (POW) association, is supported!

This project focuses on mobility in the mountains, constituting a major impact of our sporting practice on the climate.
To encourage soft mobility (carpooling, bus, train, or even bicycle), POW proposes to reinforce a new imaginary of access to the mountains among the general public; to equip users by allowing them to easily compare the different options for their journey and to carry the voice of the community for the (re)development of transport networks and the implementation of incentive pricing policies.

OUR SOLIDARITY ACTIONS

Munay Wasi - Peru

Inspired by the values ​​of the Quechua people in the heart of the Andes for our name, it seemed obvious to us to support them. For this, we naturally approached the humanitarian association Munay Wasi.

Located in Peru in the Cuzco region, it supports rural development projects without state support in the areas of nutrition, education, health and child protection for peasant populations in the Andes Cordillera of Peru.

Several projects have already been completed: sewing workshop to enable women to develop an activity and emancipate themselves, production of nata (food for children to combat anaemia), restoring a football pitch, support for waste sorting (education and equipment), restoring kitchens (smoke being the primary cause of death), installation of dry toilets, purchasing supplies... the needs are varied, and we support this association in all its actions.

Discover our solidarity products in limited edition

Some of the proceeds from the sale of these products go to those 5 associations working to limit impact on the mountain environment !

See our commitment for the bearded vulture!

SAVE THE VULTURE!

PROTECT THE BEARDED VULTURE!

The bearded vulture is an endangered species. We support the Asters association which fights tooth and nail for its protection.

How to spot bearded vultures?

How to spot bearded vultures? How to protect it?

Meeting the bearded vulture is always a magical moment. Most of the time, it's just a glimpse, flying a few meters above you. ASTERS-CEN, the conservatory of natural spaces of Haute-Savoie, gives you its advice to spot this species in a spirit of conservation.

What are the differences between a bearded vulture and a griffon vulture?

What are the differences between a bearded vulture and a griffon vulture?

Did you know? There are nearly 70 species of mammals, 89 species of nesting birds and around 2000 plant species in the French Alps.