planting a micro-forest at the IUT
The University Institute of Technology (IUT) in Nîmes has decided to participate in an initiative launched by Nîmes Métropole: planting micro-forests in urban areas. The planting will take place on Monday, December 4, and Tuesday, December 5 , in the form of a participatory project to which all IUT staff and students are invited, upon registration*.
The project will be coordinated by the association Soignons la Terre, Soignons les Hommes (Care for the Earth, Care for People), in partnership with Nîmes Métropole.
*1-hour slots – The link to register for the planting project will be sent by email.
ALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MICRO-FOREST
What is a microforest?
Imagine a dense plantation filled with local, hardy species: with a high planting density (3 to 7 plants per square meter), each species is pushed to give its best to catch a ray of sunlight and grow. This positive competition promotes rapid growth and the creation of a complex and diverse ecosystem, offering the experience of a traditional forest in a tiny space.
What's the point?
- Assistance with runoff infiltration
- Role as a carbon sink
- Temperature controller
- Self-sufficient after two to three years
- Supportive of the establishment of biodiversity
Procedure
The micro-forest will be planted in a participatory manner (students and staff) on a 100 m² area within the IUT grounds.
The association Soignons la Terre Soignons les Hommes (Let's Care for the Earth, Let's Care for People) will supervise the planting project after identifying the site, checking the network, and preparing the ground.
What next?
Watering and weeding will be carried out for three years by Nîmes Métropole until the microforest becomes self-sustaining.
These micro-forests should thus become veritable reservoirs of biodiversity that we will be able to watch evolve, but which will not be intended for human visitors. We will leave nature alone!
First day of planting – December 5, 2023
The project was delayed by one day due to bad weather, but we took advantage of this beautiful day to plant more than half of the planned specimens. Thank you to everyone who participated today, and see you on Monday, December 11, for the next phase.
Thanks also to Mathieu and his team from the association Soignons la Terre, Soignons les Hommes (Care for the Earth, Care for People) for all their explanations and helpful advice!
