Spéléo Club de Belgique
What is it you do?
"The Spéléo Club de Belgique is a speleological association primarily focused on the exploration of the underground world — that is, on the one hand, to discover new cavities or extensions of existing ones, and on the other hand, to improve knowledge of this unique environment."
What prompted you to seek "Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark Partner" status?
"Being a partner of the Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with the organization. Indeed, we are potential privileged partners, as we regularly explore the underground of the Calestienne — the central geological feature of the Geopark — and in doing so, we believe we can make a meaningful contribution.
It is also an opportunity to participate in the preservation of our region, to highlight its rich karst features, and to promote its exceptional natural heritage."
What is your approach to sustainable development and environment friendly practices?
"Caving itself generates very little energy consumption, as it is done on foot. Our lighting uses LEDs, which consume very little energy, and our equipment — used for many years — is of European origin, mainly French.
For transportation, we always prioritize carpooling. As for accommodation, we have a shelter within the Geopark that we built ourselves in 1960. For decades, this has allowed us to avoid using conventional infrastructure and the energy costs that would entail."
Charles Bernard, président
Contact details:
Chemin du Spéléo Club de Belgique, 1
6900 Hotton
0499 57 82 15
charlesbernard@skynet.be
