Preserving biodiversity in Conservatoire des Restanques

Ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems

"The Conservatoire des Restanques presents numerous objectives, including the preservation of Mediterranean flora, the safeguarding and rediscovery of species or varieties of vegetables and fruit now forgotten in favor of homogeneous and more profitable commercial varieties." "Highlight the knowledge of former Provençal farmers with the culture on the "raised levels/terraces" (restanques in Provençal)." "It will allow the various publics, adults, children, people with disabilities ... to find themselves in the values that our association brings: Act, Preserve, Educate." (Ref. 1) "An exceptional tool for education and awareness of the environment and sustainable development, proposes innovative actions to discover the richness of the natural environment" "A real pedagogical place of encounter, exchange and social diversity, it allows everyone to act and become actors on the ground!" (Ref. 2) -"Dedicated to the preservation and awareness of the agricultural and natural heritage of Provence and to the preservation and rediscovery of ancient varieties of vegetables and fruits" (Ref. 7).

"It was to become yet another real estate project, but 2,500 signatures made it possible in 2011 to maintain this surface in an agricultural zone" (Ref. 7). "Campaign of donations will allow the association to develop the project of the Conservatory of Restanques, Orchard and Mediterranean Garden!""The sums collected will allow the acquisition of equipment and tools essential to the activities and the reception of the public." (Ref. 1) "The employees of the Animations and Scientific Studies departments prepare and animate the workshops to the public. They organize the follow-up of the development of the site and the organization of the natural workshops." (Ref. 3) The site has: -The restanques: a vegetable garden for forgotten vegetables and a garden of scents; -The orchard and its forgotten fruits; -A Mediterranean botanical garden; -An exemplary bioclimatic reception building (Ref. 1). "-Flora or fauna workshops -Day "Voluntary nature site" (Development of site, fruit harvesting, plantations) -Education (size of olive trees, apiculture) and workshops "eco Gardening » -Scientific studies " (Ref. 1) -"The bioclimatic building will very soon become a place of reception of the public for various services and events (reception of school and extracurricular groups, conferences, trainings, visits, exhibitions, etc.) while being a support for awareness and training in eco -construction and control of energies" (Ref. 2). -"In 2016, a particularly interesting beehive was installed for raising public awareness of bees because it allows the bees to be observed in complete safety and without disturbing them" (Ref. 7).

• Non-government organisation/Civil Society
• Citizens or community groups
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
• Young people and children