Naming to better protect nature: Lagoped's commitment

Nature is not a playground, nor a static backdrop for our adventures. It is a vast classroom where every observation is a lesson. As Doug Peacock, the American naturalist and writer, explained, observing animals without disturbing them, with care and respect, is a way to learn from the wild. This ability to name and recognize each element of nature plays a central role in our understanding and respect for the environment.

Doug Peacock, an American naturalist and writer, emphasizes in *The Journey of an Eco-Warrior * that nature is first and foremost a vast classroom. He encourages us to learn from wild animals through careful observation , without ever disturbing them in their activities. According to him, "The world's only vastness is that which we make it." To truly understand wild places and creatures, one must know how to listen , to be present. Peacock reminds us how difficult this attentiveness is to maintain, especially in a group, where social dynamics can drain curiosity and attention, both of which are vital for grasping the richness of life.

In her book, *Se tenir quelque part sur Terre* (Standing Somewhere on Earth) , French philosopher Joëlle Zask develops the idea that observing nature requires the ability to name and distinguish . She explains that this faculty is linked to language acquisition, which allows us to structure our perception of the world. Without a rich vocabulary, it becomes difficult to notice the variety of realities that surround us. The inability to name limits our understanding and, by extension, our power to act: "Lacking the words and concepts to notice and express the variety of realities and their singularities, we are condemned to remain on the surface of things."

In *The Detail of the World *, Romain Bertrand extends this reflection by showing that our loss of specific vocabulary , particularly for describing nature, is accompanied by a growing inattention . According to him, "It's not that the world is mute, but that we have forgotten its language." The words to describe the simplest things—the edge of a wood, a familiar insect—tend to disappear, leading to a gradual disconnection from our environment . The richness of language not only allows us to refine our perception but also to multiply our interactions with the living world.

Finally, in his tribute to Jean Dorst , the French ornithologist and author of the manifesto Before Nature Dies , paleontologist Yves Coppens emphasizes the importance of understanding nature in order to better protect it. Studying the mechanisms of life is not enough; we must also learn to appreciate its beauty . As Dorst pointed out, "Ultimately, nature will only be saved by our hearts." This sensitive, emotional, and scientific understanding remains essential for preserving our surroundings. Without words, it is impossible to distinguish the different species of beetles, to appreciate the subtlety of an elytron, or to identify the eyespots on a butterfly. A silent world is a forgotten world.

The rock ptarmigan, an iconic mountain bird, inspired our brand. This small gallinaceous bird, about the size of a partridge, inhabits the peaks of the Northern Hemisphere. Having survived the last major climate upheavals 10,000 years ago, it is considered a glacial relic. It has adapted to extreme conditions, changing the color of its plumage with the seasons, from white in winter to brown in summer to blend into its surroundings. Thus, it has become a symbol of resilience and discretion, embodying values ​​dear to Lagoped: frugality and adaptability, taking only what nature requires.

Our clothing pays homage to this animal through different translations of its name:

• KIIRUNA : Ptarmigan in Finnish

• MESDALG : Ptarmigan in Korean (멧닭)

• NAGALAKA : Ptarmigan in Inuktitut

• PARTMIGAN : Ptarmigan in English

• PERDIZ : Partridge in Spanish

• PERNICE : Partridge in Italian

• RAICHO : Ptarmigan in Japanese (ライチョウ)

• RYPA : Ptarmigan in Swedish and Norwegian (ripa or rype)

• TAPAKILA : Partridge in Malagasy

Beyond the ptarmigan, the brand celebrates other fascinating, often overlooked species, remarkable for their behaviors and characteristics, and their adaptability:

• BUBO : The Eurasian Eagle-Owl ( Bubo bubo ), the largest nocturnal bird of prey in the world

• WOLVER : Also called a glutton ( Gulo gulo ), this predator of the Arctic tundra is famous for its voracity and strength.

• DOHLE : The jackdaw ( Coloeus monedula ), a sociable bird often seen in acrobatic flight, bears this name in German.

• HAZEL GROOVE : The hazel grouse ( Tetrastes bonasia ), discreet and typical of high-altitude undergrowth or cold forests

• SNOWY OWL : The Snowy Owl ( Bubo scandiacus ), majestic white owl emblematic of Quebec.

• PIKA : ( Ochotona princeps ) Small herbivorous mammal of the mountains of Asia and America, famous for its high-pitched cries and its grass stores.

• ROKA : Means fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) in Hungarian, a tribute to the cunning predator of the forests and mountains.

• RUPRICAPRA : Scientific name for the chamois, a symbol of agility and alpine endurance.

• SKAGGGAM : The bearded vulture ( Gypaetus barbatus ) in Swedish, an emblematic vulture of the Alps, known for breaking bones to feed on them.

• TENGMALM : Tengmalm's owl ( Aegolius funereus ), rare and protected, silent inhabitant of boreal forests.

• CAPERCAILLIS : The capercaillie ( Tetrao urogallus ), a large galliform bird living in the coniferous forests of northern and mountainous Europe.

Through our clothing, we wish not only to dress those who explore nature, but also to tell the story of these species and raise awareness of their protection.

Learning to name the elements of nature is to reconnect with essential knowledge. Each word, each name, is a gateway to a better understanding of the natural world. At Lagoped, we believe that to know is to love, and to love is to protect .