Based in Rives, Isère, the Pic Vert association works to promote the understanding and protection of wildlife, flora, natural habitats, and landscapes, while fighting against all forms of pollution and environmental disturbance. Today, the association has more than 1,000 members. One of the association’s main initiatives is the acquisition of land parcels in order to create nature reserves, ponds, and ecological corridors that allow wildlife to move freely between habitats. (source : https://lepicvert.org/association)

In Voiron, Isère, a Real Environmental Obligation (ORE : Obligation Réelle Environnementale) has been established on a 12,000-square-metre plot of land in order to transform it into a biodiversity reserve. Classified as an agricultural zone under the Local Urban Plan, this plot represents an agricultural enclave surrounded by urbanized areas.

As the obligation is established for a period of 99 years, it will protect the land and ensure its environmental preservation regardless of any future changes in ownership. This therefore represents a major commitment by the City of Voiron to protect local wildlife and plant species, demonstrating a long-term dedication to biodiversity conservation. 
 

The project, developed in partnership with the Le Pic Vert association, aims to preserve biodiversity in open agricultural environments while creating a genuine ecological corridor through the planting of hedgerows and the restoration of the former orchard. This space will provide a refuge for numerous species within a highly urbanized environment.

The natural presence of water is also a major asset of the site. The area is characterized by springs and several ponds, particularly on the neighboring grounds of the Visitation monastery, which is classified as a “heritage property conservation area” under the Local Urban Plan. The ponds that will be created as part of the project will complement this network of water bodies, which is particularly favorable to amphibians and many other species.

Beyond its ecological value, this biodiversity reserve will become an educational site for primary schools, allowing students to take part in educational field trips and learn about ecosystem functioning and conservation challenges.

This plot represents an ideal site for implementing concrete actions to:

• Provide biodiversity with a refuge within an urban environment
• Preserve the diversity specific to agricultural ecosystems
• Create a green corridor through the planting of hedgerows

Several complementary actions will therefore be carried out to successfully complete the project: 

• Conducting a survey of local wildlife, flora, and habitats by the Le Pic Vert association
• Creating an educational pond
• Planting an orchard consisting of 15 fruit trees
• Planting 400 linear metres of hedgerows, representing approximately 540 shrubs
• Monitoring plant survival rates and changes in local wildlife and flora in order to assess the long-term benefits of the project