"VAN" (Sports Desk - 08.08.2025) :: World Rowing, in partnership with bloomUp, a pioneering sport sustainability and innovation agency, has officially launched the first-ever pilot of the Biodiversity Compass at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania.
The pilot project, titled "In Balance With Nature,"marks a significant step in integrating biodiversity awareness and action into global sports events. Designed to assess, protect, restore, and regenerate biodiversity, this initiative is part of a broader collaboration between bloomUp and World Rowing under the World Rowing - WWF Healthy Waters Alliance.
“In Balance With Nature is an important step in bringing biodiversity to the forefront of our sport. As part of the World Rowing WWF Healthy Waters Alliance and aligned with our commitment as a Sports for Nature signatory, this pilot reflects our dedication to protecting & resotring the ecosystems our sport relies on. It’s a tangible move toward making rowing truly nature-positive,“ shared Maike Betts, World Rowing Development & Sustainability Coordinator.
“This pilot is about more than measurement—it’s about creating a new relationship between sport and nature,” said Anne-Cécile Turner, bloomUp Co-Founder. Rowing takes place in some of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems, and through the Biodiversity Compass, we want to ensure that these environments are valued, understood, and protected.”
Highlights of the Pilot Project:-
● On-site activation and engagement with athletes, teams, and stakeholders.
● A Biodiversity Value-Creation Workshop focused on nature-positive approaches in sport.
● Visual storytelling, interviews, and insights shared via bloomUp and World Rowing social media.
● A comprehensive biodiversity impact report using data gathered during the event.
The Biodiversity Compass is a practical and educational tool developed by bloomUp to help sports organisations evaluate and improve their interaction with local ecosystems. This pilot in Trakai will serve as a blueprint for future events aiming to combine high-performance sport with environmental stewardship.
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