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The French team

A little team that grows…

A Rocha France was created in February 2000, after three years of preparation. Here is some background on our current team:

	National Director: Steven Dixon Steven is a resident of the Paris area, a husband, and the father of two. He holds a degree in Community Development and Aid Relations. In addition to his years in the publishing industry, he has experience in humanitarian aid, youth work, and adult education. It was while working in publishing that he first encountered the work of A Rocha, through the French publication of Peter Harris’s book, Foi d’écolo (Kingfisher's Fire) (Éditions Farel). He discovered an organization constructed around a rich dialogue between faith and respect for creation.
	Courmettes Centre Director: Paul Jeanson Director of the Ornithological Park of Marquenterre (Bay of Somme, France) for 20 years, today he is the treasurer of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) French branch, member of the Eurosite network, and also committee member of A Rocha International. In Autumn 2008, after having served as director of A Rocha France for 3 years, he handed over the position to serve as director of the Courmettes Estate (near Nice).
	Centre Managers, Tourades: Patrick and Aline Bosquin Patrick and Aline worked for nearly 25 years at the Hermon castle in Joudes, where they were wardens. In December 2009 they decided to put their skills to good use at the Tourades Centre where they are now managers, responsible for hospitality and maintenance.
	Scientific Director, Tourades: Timothée Schwartz Timothée Schwartz is a young graduate of AgroParisTech –ENGREF (Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural, des Eaux et des Forêts), with a master’s degree in Forest Engineering. Originally from Orléans, he is passionate about nature and has been interested for a number of years in ornithology. From his studies, he went on to a number of international experiences, notably in Germany, French Guiana, and Gabon, then in Ghana with the Climate Stewards programme of A Rocha International. By joining the A Rocha France team at Tourades, he reinforces his decision to bring together his faith and his passion for nature.
	Project Manager, Tourades: Priscille Faure Ecological Engineering graduate of the University of Corte (in Corsica), she directed the hydrobiological diagnosis of a pond close to Porto-Vecchio. Priscille has worked abroad on pilot projects aiming to push back the limits of the Neguev desert in Beer-Sheva, Israel. As well as sharing a common faith, A Rocha fulfilled her desire to be involved in nature conservation. At Tourades, she works to develop the area of environmental education and awareness, particularly within churches.
	Commercial Manager, Courmettes: Etienne Warzecha Business consultant and manager of the commercial work at Courmettes, Etienne studied Economic and Social Sciences. He then decided to use his training in his work with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in Arizona, USA. “The love that the Aboriginal Peoples have for nature and the Creator sparked something in my life.” On returning to France, he undertook a BTS in Business Units Management and then became interested with A Rocha. He views the relationship between humanity and nature as one of personal enrichment that conveys the message of God’s love for His creation.
	Centre Manager, Courmettes: Marie Warzecha Marie is in charge of welcoming and managing students and volunteers, as well as some administrative duties at Coumettes. Passionate about education, she received a Masters in French as a Second Language, and started her professional career in teaching (private lessons as well as lessons in a missionary centre). In December 2008, she joined in the Courmettes venture along with her husband.
	Associate speaker: Frédéric Baudin Pastor, writer and lecturer, Frédéric has a university education in ecology, modern letters and theology. He is the author of a number of articles and has published several works. His two last books, *Dieu est-il vert?* (Is God Green?) (ed. CroirePocket) and *D’un jardin à l’Autre* (The Author’s Garden) (ed. CEM), address the question of ecology from a Biblical and Christian perspective. He is director of the organization ‘Culture-Environnement-Médias’ (CEM) (Culture, Environment and Media), and vice-president of the Alliance Evangélique Française (AEF) (French Evangelical Alliance). Founding member of A Rocha France (ARF), his conferences on the theme of ‘The Bible and Ecology: cultivating and sustaining the Earth…’ are organized in close collaboration with A Rocha.