Oaks, maples, lime trees, hornbeams, elms, elderberries, hawthorns... So many species that will populate the Courcy micro-forest, north of Reims (Marne).
An approach to maintaining biodiversity in which towns in the Marne such as Epernay or Reims are already part.
On February 13, Courcy will follow in their footsteps with the planting of its first micro-forest.
A project led by the “Let’s clean and preserve nature” association which was created in 2019 in this village of a thousand souls.
Also read: A first micro-forest at the gates of Orléans too
Nearly 1,000 trees will be planted thanks to around fifty volunteers and the financial support of Macif.
“To reduce costs, we called on a farmer who cut the grass and brought in manure.
For our part, we take care of the entire mulching operation,” summarizes Chantal Guillaume, treasurer of the association.
All residents are invited to lend a hand during this collective planting.
Elementary schools in the area are also associated with this program.
We won't be able to walk there
A project with a budget of €12,000.
“This forest will grow quickly.
In 20 years, we will have large and mature trees.
This will lead to an improvement in air quality and more biodiversity,” assures Chantal Guillaume.
Starlings, hedgehogs and other small rodents are already living in this preserved ecosystem thanks to the association's installation of a shared vegetable garden and orchard last year.
This new island of freshness must also contribute to filtering the water.
Also read Urban forests: “We lack perspective”
The system will be presented in detail to local schoolchildren during workshops and events next February and March.
“The teachers started working on the subject but also on the species of trees planted.
An engineer also intervened in the four classes the day before the planting,” explains Chantal Guillaume.
These small forest ecosystems are inspired by the method of the Japanese botanist Miyawaki.
The forest will therefore not be intended to accommodate walkers, because it will be too dense.
“We can simply come and sit on the edge of this island.
And we will install signs to explain the benefits of this flora and raise awareness among passers-by,” Chantal Guillaume rejoices in advance.