In partnership with the French Environment Agency, almost 5 acres of the Writers' Retreat are being ReWilded (or ReNatured, as the French prefer to say). Formerly manicured gardens, the Environment Agency will help the ecology regain its most natural state, boosting the rare birds and butterflies, otter, toads, turtles, salamanders, eels, pine martens, watersnakes, deer and boar that have already come back there now. The famous river Ciron that runs beside the property is a 'Site of Scientific Interest' for its flora and fauna, This spectacular 1-minute film flies you over the river. The authorities are applying for UNESCO heritage status for the river and its banks.
The Centre’s ReWilding project published a Year 1 Biodiversity Report. It lists all the plant and wildlife species identified and protected on the property during the project’s first year. Click here for a quick look. Year 5 will coincide with Marella Hoffman’s book about the 33 protected, rare or threatened species she has encountered on the property. Called Les Voix de la Forêt ~ Façonner l’Avenir Ensemble à Léogeats, Un Village du Sud Gironde, it is written in partnership with the local authorities and residents. Giving voice to the opposing and complementary needs of both humans and more-than-humans in this democratic community, it engages dialogue around the environmental and political challenges ahead.
Research shows that visiting ReWilding projects also has profound benefits for human brain function, well-being and creativity. To tackle society's problems ahead, we'll all need more of that. So enjoy a stroll below around the property's nature reserve.