Agora Forest

Self sustaining pocket forest

Planted in December 2022, Agora Forest is now self-sustaining, with charcoal trees and fruit-bearing dogwoods thriving on site. It has successfully weathered two consecutive heatwave summers without requiring watering, and no tree losses have been observed.

Developed in collaboration with the village of Bezange-la-Petite, the project represents the culmination of a collective effort to revive a pocket of land that had become a biodiversity desert, transforming it into a shared space that strengthens community ties. Many villagers recall a time when frogs, grasshoppers and other wildlife were abundant in the area, species that have since all but disappeared due to intensive land use; Agora Forest seeks to restore these lost ecosystems and bring those memories back to life. Surrounded by intensively managed agricultural land, the site now serves as a vital refuge where wildlife can once again thrive, while also functioning as a growing community hub, with pathways and seating areas that invite people of all ages to gather, learn and enjoy the restorative benefits of nature.

The planting itself actively involved villagers, including local schoolchildren, reinforcing a sense of shared ownership. Agora Forest now stands as a living example for other communities in the region, urban and rural alike, demonstrating the long-term environmental, social, health and wellbeing benefits of community-led rewilding projects.