Emilie Parthuisot, founder of Atmosylva, explains in detail what forestation and reforestation projects are, and unveils the next major reforestation projects in France.
A year ago, we gave the floor to Emilie Parthuisot, a lawyer and forester with a passion for environmental protection, and founder of Atmosylva, a company whose mission is to take action to protect forests, biodiversity and the climate, and where human beings play a central role. Since October 2020, Quadrapol, a wooden home builder committed to environmental protection, has been supporting Atmosylva by financing tree planting in afforestation and reforestation projects in France. Zoom in on current reforestation projects!
Emilie, can you tell us about the projects currently underway in the region?
There are several afforestation and reforestation projects currently underway, including one in the Loiret region which Quadrapol has been working on for several months now. This project is made up of two privately-owned plots of land that are in fact former pastures. Our aim is to plant a variety of tree species adapted to the local soil and climate, now and in the future. The term "forest station" refers to an area of land that is homogeneous in terms of climate, relief, soil and spontaneous vegetation. Analysis of forest station guides drawn up by foresters, combined with field surveys and local climate data, enable us to select the appropriate tree species.
For example, in the Loiret project, the climate is temperate and warm, with winters that are sometimes cold and wet, and summer droughts are likely to recur in the years to come. The soil is characterized by sand and clay (Puisaye clay). These potentialities have enabled us to select Sessile Oak, a species that can withstand a certain water deficit, as well as forest fruit trees such as Cormier, Poirier sauvage and Pommier sauvage, which are very interesting for biodiversity (melliferous species and produce fruit for animals).
How is the Loiret afforestation project financed?
There are various ways of contributing to the projects currently underway. In the Loiret region, there are two types of commitment possible: sponsorship, for an area of 1.08 hectares, and the Bas Carbone label (certification issued by the French Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition), for an adjoining area of around 1.58 hectares.
Sponsorship is a more accessible way for individuals and companies to finance tree planting. We offer to plant trees or provide trees for planting at a cost of 3 euros (excl. VAT) per tree.
The Bas Carbone label has the advantage of being recognized and managed by the French government, and enables companies to officially certify their commitment to the environment, including internationally, by means of a voluntary carbon contribution. Once they have reduced their own carbon emissions, companies can integrate the Carbon Emission Reductions generated by the Project as part of their voluntary compensation. The carbon stored in forest biomass and soil is measured in advance. This is a verified process that reassures companies and their customers, and delivers internationally recognized certification. The cost is calculated per tonne of CO2 avoided or stored. If we were to reduce it to the price of a tree, we'd be looking at around 5 to 8 euros per tree, depending on the project.
What's the current status of the Loiret afforestation project?
The health crisis linked to Covid, coupled with a dry period and occasional rainfalls delaying tillage to avoid settling, have delayed planting. It will take place this autumn on the plot under sponsorship and Label Bas Carbone, if all the conditions for effective action and ecosystem development are met. In this respect, the opinion of the Forest Manager, based on his experience, is very important in order to make the right decisions and promote the viability of the plantation.
For the moment, 886 trees remain to be financed on the Loiret plots, out of a total of 1,600 trees, which will also be financed by other companies, organizations and individuals. In all, Quadrapol has planted 630 trees since the beginning of its involvement, and we'd like to thank it very much for our forests!
Is it a challenge to support reforestation and forest protection?
Absolutely! When you're working with living things, you have to be flexible and adaptable. For example, a plantation may have to be postponed because, due to poor oak tasselling, the nurseries that year were unable to grow enough seedlings to supply planting projects in subsequent years. In addition, spring planting is becoming increasingly complicated due to less evenly distributed rainfall and successive summer droughts over the past 3 years. It is for all these reasons that a case-by-case analysis of the terrain and the project is necessary, combined with the experience of the foresters and the operational monitoring they carry out for the Project.
What does a newly reforested plot look like?
We plant trees that are generally between 1 and 2 years old, with variable heights depending on the forester's choice, often between 40 and 80cm. We plant them when they're small, as their root system is not yet developed and will adapt more easily to the soil in which they'll be planted. Fascinatingly, tree roots associate with mycorrhizal fungi in a symbiotic relationship: the hyphae of the fungi explore a larger surface area of soil, in search of minerals and water. In exchange, the tree provides them with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis. A real little collaborative economy! Of course, it will take a few years before the trees reach adult size and form a dense forest.
What are the next reforestation projects?
We have several projects in development, under construction or already planted. In Gironde, we have a project to reforest a one-hectare forest burnt down in 2017. On this project, Maritime Pines and accompanying hardwood species will be planted to diversify the plantation despite the often acidic and filtering soils in this Region. The planting is due to take place next autumn, and will even be associated with a sporting event!
In the Ile-de-France region, we have a project under development with a larger surface area. It involves reforesting a copse of birch trees that are in a state of serious decline. The trees, which tend to originate from northern Europe, have not stood up well to the lack of water and warmer temperatures. What's more, there isn't enough natural regeneration on this plot, which meant that reforestation had to be carried out over the entire surface area of the Project. This is very interesting, but at the same time alarming, as it shows once again the impact of climate change on the distribution zones of a number of tree species. Certain trees, such as the Beech, are set to expand their range towards the northern part of France and mountainous areas, where rainfall remains sufficient for their water requirements.
Another project that springs to mind is another reforestation project following a fire in Gironde, in the Landes de Gascogne massif. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in this region, but it's likely to be more frequent in other regions where forests dry out quickly, such as Central France, which has been less susceptible to fires until now. These fires are very often of human origin: barbecues, motorized vehicles, cigarette butts... It is therefore very important to raise public and tourist awareness of forest protection: spending a vacation in nature also means knowing the right things to do to preserve it.
Speaking of awareness-raising, can we see the forests that have benefited from reforestation?
Most of these forests are private plots, but we can organize guided tours with a forester, at the request of contributing companies or associations. During the visit, Atmosylva and the forestry expert present the project as a whole, explaining what is at stake and the silvicultural choices that have been made.
Other activities can be organized, such as participation in plantations, concerts, orienteering races or treasure hunts on forest-related themes for a total immersion in history and nature. For these treasure hunts, we work with groups of 30 to 40 participants divided into teams of around 5 investigators. This activity can be organized as part of a team-building event, but is also open to the general public at events such as Forest Night.
To experience these educational and fun forest tours, we invite you to take part in the La Nuits des forêts event, to be held from July 2 to 4, 2021 across France. Atmosylva is partnering the event and organizing two treasure hunts on the theme of forests in the Middle Ages, in the Sénart forest at La Faisanderie (91), combined with a concert, outdoors of course! Other events will also be organized throughout France's forests! A great opportunity to get away from it all and enjoy nature to the full, after a year of confinement and curfews!
Many thanks to Emilie for sharing her time and expertise with us!
Atmosylva and Quadrapol: shared values
Quadrapol is a builder of wooden chalets, habitable garden studios, lodges and Tiny Houses on wheels, whose aim is to offer affordable, sustainable and environmentally-friendly housing. The building sector is the second most polluting after transport. It's important to react and use common sense. By turning to lightweight housing, habitable timber constructions and small wooden houses, you can significantly reduce your impact on the environment. Not only does a small wooden house store CO² instead of releasing it, it's also easier to heat thanks to wood's optimal insulation properties.
Quadrapol, the wood chalet builder, uses wood from sustainably managed forests. As a result, no clear-cutting is required, and flora and fauna are preserved. By combining the use of FSC- and PEFC-certified wood with reforestation actions for each garden studio, tiny house or wooden house built, Quadrapol contributes in its own way to the preservation of our forests.
