Over several days, the project to create an urban forest based on the Miyawaki method, in the Moulinet eco-district, in Pont-Sainte-Marie (Aube)mobilized 200 children and more than fifty adults. Sunday, October 13, the residents of the town were invited to the Utopia cinema to discover the film “The man who planted trees” and discover the project and the fabulous planting technique of Akira Miyawaki, Japanese botanist, which makes it possible to create century-old forest ecosystems in a few decades.
“The city took ownership of this military wasteland, former Mobilization Center No. 69 of two hectares, in 2002. We had the project for this eco-district,” says Pascal Landréat, mayor of Pont-Sainte-Marie. It’s not just a place where you sleep, it’s a place where you can live. There is Culture with the Utopia cinema, service to the population with the two medical homes, around a hundred homes are being built in addition to the already existing homes. This will bring together all the elements on this parade ground in the heart of the eco-district to create an intergenerational green space. »
“In 2024, it is therefore the start of concrete action on biodiversity,” continues the elected official. It was important to start with the urban forest because it is a strong sign in this 1500 m2 space dedicated to it in the heart of the city. In two or three years, the trees, which are 40 to 50 cm high today, will overtake us. We are also subsequently planning an orchard and an educational garden, a biodiversity space which will ultimately be a gathering point for the population. » The budget for this urban forest operation amounts to 40,000 euros, of which 17,000 euros are already covered by the Green Fund.
Around twenty local species
Dorian Malengreau, landscaper, is part of the team at the Belgian company Urban Forests, one of the pioneers of the Miyawaki method. During the three days, he provided his valuable advice to Maripontains of all ages: “The objective is to promote harmonious cohabitation between man and nature in urban and rural areas. This gives everyone the opportunity to plant a tree, it’s simple but it’s what we should do at least once in our lives. Our role is to sow seeds in the minds of young people in the hope that the importance of this action will germinate and snowball. Here, residents will plant around twenty local species, from ash to oak, hornbeam, maple and even shrubs such as dogwood and elderberry. In total, 4,500 trees and shrubs were planted in three days to create this mini-forest which will resemble a piece of authentic nature. The list of species is personalized for each project according to scientific data that we have to have the most representative community of species. »
It was therefore in pairs that young and old, armed with gloves, participated in this project. One digs while the other plants the shrub. More than 200 children, from the leisure center, the youth area and the CM1 and CM2 classes of the Pont-Sainte-Marie elementary school attended last Wednesday and Thursday. “Their involvement symbolizes the future of the project, because these young residents will be witnesses and guardians of the evolution of this forest over the years,” underlines Pascal Landréat. Friday was dedicated to the residents of the neighborhood, like Marie-Françoise, 66 years old, equipped with her boots. “I came to help plant trees, I think it’s a great action. If everyone respected nature, it would be magnificent. » For young people, it’s also a great adventure. Sofia, 10 years old, and Erla, 11 years old, from the youth area, are delighted to put on the gloves to participate in the task: “We have already planted around ten trees. It’s important to be able to breathe, to have oxygen. This is our future! »