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A tea committed to protecting birds

Publish on 11.08.2024 by Les Jardins de Gaïa

By naming our organic green tea after an endangered bird, we're supporting the Alsace LPO's efforts to protect one of the symbols of the Alsace rieds.

Photo credit : © Elodie Winter

The LPO (Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux - League for the Protection of Birds) is a veritable emblem of bird protection in France and Europe. Originally created to put an end to the massacre of the puffin (which has become its emblem), notably during safaris organized in Brittany, the LPO warns against the disappearance of many endangered species, in particular through the intensification of agricultural practices and the regression of natural meadows. Such is the case of the wet meadows (rieds) surrounding our company, which are home to the curlew, also known as the "moon bird". With the militant tea bearing the name of this endangered bird, we support the action of the LPO Alsace to protect one of the symbols of the Alsatian rieds.

An association that takes action on a daily basis

LPO members are sentinels for the many endangered bird species on our territory, as they are first and foremost out in the field. With its 45,000 members, LPO France, founded in 1912, is today one of the leading associations for the protection of nature in France. Recognized as a public utility, it works daily to safeguard biodiversity, with a particular focus on education and awareness-raising throughout the country, thanks to its many local branches. In particular, the association manages five care centers that take in injured birds and, since 2016, has had a scientific and technical committee to steer long-term actions and studies.

Together, let's protect the curlew

The Franco-German Ramsar Rhinature project is studying solutions to replace intensive corn farming with more environmentally-friendly agricultural practices. In 2015 and 2016, LPO Alsace targeted its actions on the commune of Erstein (67). The sums donated by Les Jardins de Gaïa since 2013 have partly financed a gate limiting access to meadows hosting pairs of the bird. The original feature of this gate is that it has observatory-style openings and is accompanied by an explanatory panel, to raise public awareness of the operation and above all to limit disturbance of the meadows, which represents a major cause of the species' decline. Since the end of 2016, financial support from Les Jardins de Gaïa has been allocated to the binational Ramsar Rhinature project, focused on the conservation of endangered species in the Rhine area on both sides of the Rhine. Grassland birds, including the curlew, are a natural part of this project. Solutions exist, such as replacing intensive corn farming with cattle rearing based on flowering meadow grasses ("Lait de foin" label, "Le Boeuf d'Herbe" label, etc.), the specific rearing of water buffalo, whose milk can be valorized in the form of mozzarella, or the establishment of meadows to produce energy in the form of pellets or insulation panels. All very promising avenues!

Les Jardins de Gaïa LPO refuge since 2015

Les Jardins de Gaïa, located in the wet meadows of Central Alsace, has been awarded the LPO refuge label and is home to many species of birds from the surrounding Ried region. This ecosystem is unique to the region: an abundant, shallow water table regularly floods an entire area of meadows. This area is home to exceptional flora and fauna, but is threatened by the intensification of agriculture.

A committed organic green tea with pear and elderflower flavours

Oiseau lune: a favorite with our customers, this is a particularly bright, gourmet tea with a militant stance. With its sweet aromas of elderberry and pear, it's the perfect accompaniment to fruit tarts, cookies and other sweet treats... A creation of local flavors that we're particularly keen to share...