"The Militants" collection of teas and infusions: a range which makes a difference

The Militants* range of teas and infusions, launched in 2013, helps Jardins de Gaïa to support an array of projects promoting biodiversity and the people who work to improve it.

This initiative, which takes into account economic and ecological considerations, chimes with our own values and strengthens the links we have with our partner associations with whom we have a close affinity.

For the 2022 range, we have chosen to support Sea Shepherd, an NGO founded in 1977 by Captain Paul Watson who works fearlessly to tackle the protection of marine fauna; the PCGS (Projet pour la Conservation des Grands Singes – Project for the Conservation of Great Apes), set up in 2006 by primatologist Sabrina Krief and photographer Jean-Michel Krief to protect wild chimpanzees and their habitats, and finally the charity Les Foulées du Sourire, set up in 2016 to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence and provide support and help to victims.

Based on a simple principle!

The Militants range invites you to make a difference in a tangible way: every tea or infusion you purchase helps support an organisation committed to the defence and protection of nature.

For each tube or packet sold, Jardins de Gaïa will donate €1 and 50cts respectively to the partner association. Between 2014 and 2021, nearly €175,000 was raised to support the work of ten charities.

In creating the in-house recipes for these teas and infusions, we have chosen blends of plants, spices and flowers with original and daring flavours, in the spirit of the special qualities of each organisation.

Treat yourself to a deliciously flavoured tea and give a true helping hand to an ecological project at the same time!

Have you heard of these associations?

Here’s a few words about each of them…

Kokopelli

Kokopelli has been actively campaigning for seed autonomy and against the patenting of living things since 1999. With the support of its members, it distributes between 1,400 and 2,000 varieties or species of plants (depending on the season). All the seeds distributed by Kokopelli are free of copyright and can be reproduced. The organisation also works to help agricultural communities around the world achieve autonomy, takes on the role of whistleblower for any concerns and organises workshops, conferences and seminars to preserve agricultural know-how and diversity.

LPO

Set up in 1912, the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (League for the Protection of Birds) is one of the main nature conservation organisations in France. It has more than 50,000 members and for more than a century has been working day in, day out to protect birds, safeguard biodiversity and run projects to raise awareness. It has local branches in many regions and departments of France. The LPO , which is regarded as a public service, makes a significant impact in terms of ecology, particularly through its rescue centres which save many species of birds every year.

Les Amanins

Founded in 2003 by the entrepreneur Michel Valentin and farmer and philosopher Pierre Rabhi, Les Amanins agro-ecology centre tries to balance ecology with economics, by finding alternative solutions to meet the challenges of future.

The project is driven by two questions: “What sort of planet will we leave to our children?”  and “What sort of children will we leave to the planet?« . Acutely aware of the importance of these issues, the team at the agro-ecology centre is coming up with solutions to build a common future in which people and nature work together in harmony, in particular through the Colibri school, which focuses its teaching on the importance of co-operation.

Biodynamie Recherche

The organisation Biodynamie Recherche aims to promote organic agriculture and farming methods that are respectful to the environment. It promotes scientific work in the field of organic farming including supporting the development of biodiversity on farms, promoting beekeeping which is respectful to bees and carrying out research on vine regeneration. It also helps impart knowledge about biodynamics through the publication of books, booklets and material linked to its projects. It also organises meetings to help find alternative solutions and new fields of research in the world of agriculture.

Sea Shepherd

Founded in 1977 by Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd is an NGO which battles against the destruction of marine fauna with frequent and sometimes spectacular campaigns. Sea Shepherd fights overfishing, the use of drift nets, whaling and the catching of dolphins and seals etc. Dedicated to the survival of the oceans, it wages war on all the threats facing marine populations and the destruction of their habitat. Its courageous actions, particularly against poachers who loot marine sanctuaries with complete impunity, raise public awareness and make the organisation particularly popular.

Project for the Conservation of Great Apes (PCGS)

The PCGS (Projet pour la Conservation des Grands Singes – Project for the Conservation of Great Apes), set up in 2006 by primatologist Sabrina Krief and photographer Jean-Michel Krief, works to protect wild chimpanzees and their habitats, the tropical forests.

In Sebitoli, in the north of the Kibale National Park in Uganda, PCGS has set up the Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project which aims to reduce poaching and pollution. Its goal is to help develop a better coexistence between farmers and wildlife through organic, sustainable and fairer agriculture.

Les Foulées du Sourire

Set up in 2016, the Les Foulées du Sourire is a charity that awareness around the issue of domestic violence. It provides help and support to victims, specifically with its reception centre in the heart of Alsace which allows victims to be heard and supported. The centre was financed by organising an annual race – the “Foulées du Sourire ». The race was organised in memory of Elisabeth, who died after being attacked by her spouse and so was never able to take part in the charity race she had registered for with her brother.

This range has been rewarded with the « Corporate Social Responsibility Trophy » of the 2017 CSR Trophies.