Forestry: Fondation PSA, Duramen and ADS 45 launch their first workforce inclusion project for the afforestation of agricultural land

• Inauguration of the inclusion project on Monday, March 9, in Saint-Viâtre (Loir‑et‑Cher)
• Four workers on inclusion programs to work on the first project
• Planting of nearly 10,000 pine trees on five hectares

“To find a job in rural areas, you need not only to be mobile, but also to have the skills needed by local businesses. The forestry industry can be a source of jobs with a future when that mobility and the right skills are combined. Fondation #psa is lending its support to inclusion in forestry professions through a partnership with two local players. Fondation #psa brings its expertise in mobility to this project, which opens up the prospect of jobs in the field of environmental protection,” said Karine Hillaireau, General Delegate of Fondation #psa.

“Duramen is delighted to be part of this partnership with Fondation #psa. The afforestation will give back value to this abandoned farming land, helping sequester and store CO₂. It will also help better preserve biodiversity, improve water filtration, produce wood (a renewable material and energy source), and generate sustainable local jobs,” said Eric de la Rochère, Founder of #Duramen.

“As the leaders of #ads45, are very excited about the launch of this first project supported by #Duramen and Fondation #psa. Aside from providing jobs to people who have been out of the workforce for a long time, it will help them acquire new skills, discover an area of activity complementing our other projects in natural areas, and perhaps position themselves for the jobs available in this sector,” said Emmanuel Godin, Director of #ads45.

Fondation #psa, #Duramen and workforce inclusion association #ads45 have signed a partnership agreement to promote forest preservation in the Centre-Val de Loire region and workforce inclusion in the forestry industry. The first project to be supported is located in Saint-Viâtre. It covers the afforestation of five hectares of abandoned agricultural land, earmarked for the planting of 1,800 Corsican pines, 7,200 maritime pines and a dual windbreaker of birch, hornbeam, checker trees and lime trees to the west of the plot.

The project will contribute to the production of wood, the preservation of local forest ecosystems and all the benefits that forests offer society: fight against climate change, protection of soil against erosion, preservation of biodiversity, regulation of the water cycle and local jobs. It will allow workers on inclusion programs in the region to gain new skills that are all too lacking in forestry, where jobs are all highly technical and require considerable worker mobility.

Come and attend the project launch between 10.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. at Villepalay – 41210 Saint-Viâtre (on the D93 between Saint-Viâtre and Nouans-le-Fuzelier).