La Rochelle relies on mini-forests to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040

Will the Agglomeration of La Rochelle, in Charente-Maritime, be covered with mini-forests in the decades to come?

In any case, this is the bet of citizens like Jean-Michel Vermersch at the origin of the “Blue Forest” project.

The idea?

Plant tens of thousands of trees in all the free and public spaces of the 28 towns of the Agglo Rochelle.

“During an evening with friends, we said to ourselves that it was important to create carbon sinks.

The environment of La Rochelle is flat, uniform and tree-less ”, explains this visual artist by trade.

He first thinks of founding an association but finally turns to the Carbon Cooperative of La Rochelle founded in 2019 to achieve carbon neutrality of the territory by 2040 thanks to funding from its contributors, companies and communities, among others.

First plantations in Dompierre-sur-Mer

Around La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), the landscape is flat, uniform and today treeless, hence the “Blue Forest” project to increase the number of mini-forests in the 28 municipalities of the agglomeration.

DR LP / Anne Rostaing

“We have provided for governance that is open to citizens. A commission was created especially for this project and we put at their disposal all our means, logistical and legal ”, details Anne Rostaing, the director of the cooperative who hopes to raise 20,000 euros to finance the first seedlings from the Marais Poitevin - six local species including oaks and maples were selected.

Jean-Michel Vermersch became a “member” last June, mobilizing ecologist, engineer and citizens to give substance to this project.

"The cooperative opens doors, it gives us legitimacy to canvass the municipalities," he explains.

Dompierre-sur-Mer was thus the first to provide 10,000 m2 of land.

Thirty trees were symbolically planted there on Saturday, November 20.

10,000 more will be available next fall.

Four other municipalities could follow quickly, assures Anne Rostaing.