Christelle Bakhache - Ecological Impact of Nature Recreation

Christelle Bakhache is a climber, conservationist, Lagoped ambassador, and Nature Sports Project Manager at Asters, the Conservatory of Natural Spaces in Haute-Savoie, France. With a background in environmental science and fieldwork that includes time with global organisations like WWF, Christelle brings a deep, practical understanding of conservation to her current work protecting some of France’s most fragile alpine environments.

Christelle works where outdoor adventure and environmental protection meet. She focuses on making sure that people can still enjoy the mountains without causing lasting harm to the ecosystems that make these places so special. Whether it’s shaping policy, supporting grassroots projects, or helping athletes think differently about their impact, she’s passionate about finding practical ways to balance human presence in these special and unique environments.

In this conversation, Christelle shares how her love for wild spaces fuels her mission, what she’s witnessing firsthand in the face of climate change, and how outdoor athletes and everyday adventurers alike can reduce their impact. She also reflects on her personal journey—blending exploration, advocacy, and a commitment to low-impact living to pursue a more sustainable future.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Christelle’s path into conservation and her drive to protect the natural world
• Life and work in Haute-Savoie, and how the region shapes her environmental outlook
• Her role at Asters and their mission to safeguard mountain biodiversity
• The rapid and visible impacts of climate change in the European Alps
• Conservation wins, persistent challenges, and reasons for hope
• The hidden environmental toll of large-scale sporting events
• What genuinely low-impact outdoor events could look like
• Sustainable training and travel tips for athletes and adventurers
• Practical ways we can all reduce our footprint in nature
• The influence of individual athletes and institutions advocating for change
• Christelle’s year of travelling simply and living with intention
• Steps toward becoming a more thoughtful, respectful presence in the outdoors

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

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