Manutan Collectivités takes action for local biodiversity
As part of its commitment to contributing towards a better planet, Manutan Collectivités – the French subsidiary specialising in furniture and equipment distribution for local authorities, education and healthcare sectors – is taking concrete steps to protect biodiversity in its region and reduce its carbon footprint. To this end, the company has partnered with the Coopérative Carbone to support an ambitious reforestation initiative in the Poitevin marshlands.
A vital project for the region
The Poitevin marshlands are France’s second-largest wetland and home to an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity. Yet in recent years, this unique ecosystem has come under threat. Its iconic pollarded ash trees are ageing and increasingly vulnerable to ash dieback, a disease caused by a fungal pathogen.
To safeguard the landscape for future generations, the Poitevin Marshlands Regional Nature Park launched the programme “Planting the pollarded trees of tomorrow” in partnership with the Coopérative Carbone. The initiative focuses on introducing more resilient tree species each year, while also acting as a certified local carbon sequestration project under the LRTZC label.
Vincent Sans, Deputy Managing Director of Manutan Collectivités, explains: “Protecting our local environment is an obvious choice for us. We are fully aware of the challenges facing the Poitevin marshlands. The floods that struck Charente-Maritime and Deux-Sèvres last winter highlighted just how fragile our ecosystem has become. Reforestation is essential to restore the balance and ensure the wetland has the trees it needs to thrive.”
Mission accomplished
Manutan Collectivités has pledged financial backing for the regeneration and diversification of the local treescape, working alongside other businesses in the area.
Its goal: to plant one tree for each of its employees – 177 in total. That target has now been met, with new maple and field elm, pedunculate oak, white willow and alder trees taking root in Benet Marsh, La Pêcherie, the Souil landing stage and along the Canal de la Garette. Over the next 30 years, these trees will capture an estimated 32.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Protecting the Poitevin marshlands means acting locally, together with the communities around us. Manutan Collectivités is proud to play its part in this collective effort, true to its mission: to enterprise for a better World.