Rion Des Landes College
Cultivating greenery and tranquility for children in a treeless environment.
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Trees
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Native Species
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Youth Impacted
Before the planting of this SUGi Pocket Forest, this college in Rion des Landes had many outdoor spaces but a real lack of trees. The entrance courtyard is exposed to full sun, and during the summer months the students had very few places to shelter during their break time and had limited access to any significant greenery.
Using the Miyawaki method, we planted 29 native species with the children, their teachers and families. This project aimed to emphasize the significance of cultivating environmental values and honing the skills required for forest creation. College students were also equipped with training to sustain and monitor the forest, ensuring a positive impact not only on their well-being but also on their academic pursuits.
The Rion Des Landes College project has already had a direct impact on the daily lives of the students, and we hope it will continue to be a source of joy for the entire school community as it grows.
Forest Maker
MiniBig Forest
Forest Partner
Urban Heat Profile
The Urban Heat Island Effect is affecting cities more and more each year and temperetures in urban areas can go up to 12 degrees hotter. This can be reduced and prevented by planting urban forests like this. We collected the air temperatures on an alarmingly warm day in October at Rion Des Landes College and saw amazing results.
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Air Temperature Difference
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Surface Temperature Difference
Forest Report: 2023
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Forest Age
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Survival Rate
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
The cork oak that was replanted in the center of the forest in homage to the assassination of Samuel Paty is doing very well now, following a period of bad health.
The new 6th grade students have taken over from last year's class, and the history of the forest is passed on from year to year at the college.
Professor Carlos Da Fonsaca who led this project at the college, recalls that the site was formerly a house, and that life has now settled here thanks to the trees on completely inert shaved ground.
Biodiversity Notes:
Forest Report: 2022
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
This forest is thriving at 1 year old - both in terms of its growth and its impact on the Rion des Landes College community. The pocket forest has an exceptional survival rate, particularly considering the summer heatwave and drought of this year. The forest was only watered twice during the summer months, but it is clear that the thick mulch has helped the soil to retain adequate moisture. As such, this forest has a good growth rate too. The tallest species is currently the chestnut tree (Castanea sativa).
The alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) has already produced its black fruit in the first year. Flat mushrooms are growing around one of the hazel trees (Corylus avellana), a sign of important initial fungal colonisation in the soil.
The children at the school have been involved in the maintenance of the forest and it is a source of great enrichment - both academic and pastoral - for them.
Biodiversity Notes:
“SUGi’s Forest Makers at MiniBigForest and the teachers of the Marie Curie college in Rion-des-Landes are partnering to create a natural dense forest. At the entrance to the college, this forest will link up with the adjacent primary school and provide shade and freshness, critical for the well-being of schoolchildren in this currently treeless environment.”
Noëlie Courier, MiniBig Forest Maker
Planting: December 2021
