In the Orleans metropolis (Loiret), micro-forests are sprouting up like mushrooms.
A march towards the preservation and development of biodiversity, initiated in 2020 by the city of Fleury-les-Aubrais, followed by Olivet and since December by Saran.
It was during eco-citizen week, which took place from November 28 to December 3, that the city started setting up its first micro-forest, in the Vilpot district.
Eventually, 9,000 seedlings of local species of trees (oaks, maples, hornbeams, elms, cherry trees, pear trees, etc.) and shrubs (hazel trees, hawthorns, spindle trees, etc.) will be planted over almost 5,000 m².
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“This project was part of our municipal program.
An approach that we wanted to be educational and civic.
Thus, on the morning of December 3, all Saranais were invited to participate in the collective planting of the micro-forest, ”explains Mathieu Gallois, municipal assistant for life and neighborhood relay and citizenship.
Early childhood, elementary schools, leisure center, teen club, senior groups... nearly 160 inhabitants made the trip.
Two-thirds of the plants are therefore already taking root and municipal officials will continue planting in the coming weeks.
The fourth of the metropolis
"This micro-forest is located on a grassy area, a natural area that we are going to improve", specifies the elected official.
A participatory project with a budget of 22,808 euros.
It is the fourth micro-forest of the metropolis and by far the most important.
Other projects are being studied in other municipalities.
“We need political will to deploy these projects,” adds Mathieu Gallois.
Fortunately, citizen pressure is encouraging municipalities to take up this climate issue.
And with collective gestures, we can accomplish a lot!
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