Raising awareness of invasive plants among the younger generation

Accompanied by Olivier Duckert, a biologist from the Grenat nature bureau, the 17 pupils from Salvan primary school began by learning about local invasive plants and the dangers they pose to biodiversity. Then, on the banks of the Trient stream, the children rolled up their sleeves to pull out these invasive plants. Very involved, they were impressed by the resistance of the roots of "Japanese knotweed", an invasive plant that is very difficult to uproot, even with a pickaxe. They were also surprised to see that it can grow back from very little. To their recurring question, "Will the plant I've just pulled up be there again next year?", the biologist could only reply, "Yes, but with less force, and in time we'll manage to eradicate it". The result of the action was very satisfactory: the two targeted areas were treated after just a few hours of hard work. All that remains is to repeat the initiative!

The collaboration with Salvan primary school, initiated in 2023, aims to raise awareness among young pupils of the importance of preserving local biodiversity and playing an active part in protecting the environment. Already invited to the inauguration of the Nant de Drance power plant in September 2022, these children have discovered the two facets of the project: the production of renewable energy and the corresponding environmental compensation measures.