Petzl Professional 2015 | Page 161

THE PETZL FOUNDATION

© Laurent Pierron

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The advantage of this on-site training is to work under
environmental constraints and learn how to manage ground
space, always crowded in the rainforest. Some trainees then
spend ten days in the forest to deepen their learning.

Research in the Cameroon canopy
To better understand and protect tropical forests, researchers
need access to the tops of tall trees. In November 2013,
two members of EnQuête d’Arbres went to Cameroon to train
scientists to climb the tall trees in the tropics. It was a mission
supported by the Petzl Foundation.
The first training brought together three Cameroonian
researchers, PhD students at the University of Yaoundé:
a British specialist on tropical creeping plants, a Belgian
researcher of the Institute of Research for Development (IRD)
and their Cameroonian driver-guide who wanted to learn
to help scientists access the canopy. The group knew the
rainforests well... but from the ground. The desire to engage
with their work subject gave them wings: on the third day,
all of the apprentice climbers reached the top of a 35 m tree.
Some even began moving about in the crown. The automatic
reflexes aren't yet there, but the group's progress is dazzling.
Even if the height reminds us that a human being is much
more suited to horizontal movement, this climb is a first victory.
For the researchers, discovering the canopy is a revelation.
They are now seeing their research in a new light.

A three-time French tree care champion, Laurent Pierron
created the EnQuête d’Arbres organization to help researchers
access the treetops and harvest their samples using the
tree-climbing techniques employed in the tree care industry.
The second objective is to train Cameroonian scientists to be
independent in the trees.
Supported partner: EnQuête d’Arbres organization
www.enquetedarbres.org
Financial support: 4000 € in 2013.

Since 2006, the Petzl Foundation has built, supported and
funded nearly 90 projects of general interest worldwide.
It has raised 2.7 million euros of which 1.8 went directly to the
projects (70% of the resources of the Foundation).
To learn more: www.petzl-foundation.org.