Located in Rives, Isère, the Pic Vert association works to protect wildlife, plant life, and landscapes, and now has over 1,000 members. One of the association’s key initiatives is the purchase of land parcels to establish nature sanctuaries and green corridors, allowing animals to move freely.

Once considered unsuitable for farming due to its poor, dry soil, the Bièvre plain is now the department’s main agricultural area. Despite heavy human presence, it still holds significant biodiversity potential. It is also a major migratory route for birds traveling up the Rhône Valley toward the large Alpine lakes of France and Switzerland. The area is located near the headquarters of SIDAS, in Saint-Étienne-de-Saint-Geoirs.

Several rare bird species with high protection status in France and Europe still survive in these agricultural zones. These include the Barn Owl, Eurasian Curlew, Montagu’s Harrier, and Stone-curlew. 

The association purchases land to restore and adapt it for migratory species or animals seeking shelter. The focus is mainly on wooded areas, which serve as vital biological corridors for wildlife movement.

It is within this framework that the Sidas World Foundation decided to support the association in acquiring new plots. 

Once land is purchased, the association carries out an initial assessment: clearing litter, removing unintended wildlife traps, and eliminating invasive plant species. An inventory of water points is also conducted. Based on this, a two-year action plan is developed to enhance the site’s biodiversity potential.

The actions may include (but are not limited to):

• Installing wildlife shelters: to promote bird nesting, provide roosts for bats, habitats for insects (especially pollinators), reptiles, and small mammals, through the creation and installation of suitable structures.
• Maintaining water points: with climate change increasing water stress on ecosystems (leading to reduced reproduction, disrupted migration, and even higher mortality) improving water availability for wildlife has become essential.
• Planting trees and/or shrub hedges: A diverse plant environment, with all four vegetation layers - tree, shrub, herbaceous, and moss/fungus - is key to hosting the widest range of species. Hedges also act as habitats offering shelter, food, and nesting opportunities, and serve as ecological corridors to reconnect fragmented habitats.

In addition to wooded areas, biodiversity refuges are also managed by the association. 

A recent example is the Rives Nature Reserve. This 12-hectare site, a former quarry now decommissioned, has been transformed into a reserve and a place to observe and discover local wildlife. The area was ecologically restored, with an emphasis on preserving open environments that support threatened pioneer species. The association planted 1,400 trees and shrubs, created 12 water bodies, built 5 public wildlife observation posts, and installed 40 nesting boxes. Thanks to the efforts of dozens of volunteers, the restored site is now home to at least 155 bird species, 27 mammals, 49 butterfly species, 25 dragonfly species, and 14 species of reptiles and amphibians.