NANTES, FRANCE

IME Val Lorie

A green lung for kids within a high density industrial area.

IME Val Lorie is a Medical Education Institute for young people with intellectual disabilities, located in the west of France in a high density industrial area.

MiniBigForest, teachers and families are partnering to create a natural dense forest: a “green lung” to address the negative impacts of the surrounding environment and bring back more nature within the school.

Using the Miyawaki method, we plant with kids, teachers, families sharing naturalistic values and skills, and also train MiniBigKeepers to take care of the urban forest.

Forest Maker Mini Big Forest

540

Trees

180

Square Meters

Native Species

“MiniBigForest, teachers and families are partnering to create a natural dense forest: a “green lung” to address the negative impacts of the surrounding environment and bring back more nature within the school.”

— Stephanie Saliou

The students explore the local forests to discover the native species.

The Benefits

Planting a forest at IME Val Lorie will:

Improve environmental conditions for young people

Regenerate biodiversity within a high-density industrial area

Regulate the microclimate temperature

Improve air quality

History

In France, Medical Education Institutes, also designated by the acronym IMEs, welcome children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities related to neuropsychiatric disorders.

Founded by families, activists or humanitarian organizations, these non-profit institutes provide adapted education and medical social support for young people all over the country.

IMEs teams works hand in hand with families to help these young people maximize their autonomy, personality, socialization and development in order to favor their integration in various domains of life.

Forest Report

Planted: February, 2020

Check out the creation of a Miyawaki Forest, to transform unused land into a community space and learning site for the students of Ecole IME Val Lorie in France.