In the Coubre forest, near Royan, the ONF puts an end to clear cutting and launches a public reception project

“It's a small victory!

Of course, there will still be cuts, but no more major bleeding in the forest ”, greets Olivier Marvaud, president of the association Les 7 Sentinelles.

For six years, its members have been fighting against clear cuts in the national forest of La Coubre, a massif located near Royan (Charente-Maritime).

This method was previously practiced by the ONF (National Forestry Office), manager of this natural site, with a view to regenerating the forest.

On November 4, on the occasion of a massif committee, the ONF presented the main orientations of forest development 2021-2040.

Natural regeneration and management in irregular high forest - with wood of different ages on the same plot - will henceforth be given priority over large clear cuts which may have outraged many users.

"We listen, we hear that it shocks and we adapt," said Jean-Bernard Duprat, head of the ONF Charente-Maritime.

The office shared its management objectives: more than 600 ha classified as non-production, more than 1,150 ha in irregular management, 3,000 ha in regular high forest and more than 300 ha of landscaped islets.

Silvotherapy spaces

The ONF also presented an important public reception project carried out in consultation with forest users, called Cœur de Coubre.

It revolves around the rehabilitation of a 19th century forestry school nestled in the heart of the massif.

“It is dilapidated, the idea is not to bring the public into the building.

We want to create a space for the transmission of past activities like a ghost village and offer a place to raise awareness of the local flora and fauna, ”explains the head of the ONF.

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Around the school, a trial garden - also called arboretum - created in 1866 will be brought up to date.

Its main goal will be to find species that are more resilient to climate change.

Educational paths will be set up, with the aim of making them accessible "to the four impairments: motor, visual, auditory and mental".

Sylvotherapy is at the heart of the project, with the creation of relaxation areas and forest spas - waterless spas located at the foot of certain trees to “benefit from the benefits of the forest”.

A budget of € 565,000 is dedicated to Coeur de Coubre, which should materialize in 2023 after a year of studies scheduled for 2022.