They buy a forest to protect it

When they discovered this traditional pétigorer farm, lost in the middle of the forest, at the end of a barely carrosable output, Caty and Hans Louwers did not hesitate a second. “She was nodding all the boxes: no road, no neighbors, and ground for our horses. We immediately knew that it would be our last house, ”says the retired Dutch couple in impeccable French. In love with nature and biodiversity, after several years of research, Caty and Hans are convinced that they have finally found their little wild paradise, nestled in the town of Tourtoirac (Dordogne). Only, shortly after the purchase of their property, a forest operator operates a clean cut of several hectares near their house. A shock, at the same time as a click. “We immediately contracted a new loan to acquire and save the rest of this forest, deer, foxes, hinds, badgers and genettes that live there,” continues Caty.

To better protect this nature around them, the couple turned to The association for the protection of wild animals (ASPAS), with whom they created the second haven of wild life in France (the first is in Melle in Deux-Sèvres).

Donations to create reserves

Since its creation in 1980, ASPAS – 15,000 members in France – defends wild biodiversity and the principle of free evolution of nature. “By 2030, the European strategy in favor of biodiversity wishes to protect at least 30 % of land and seas, including 10 % in strict protection. In France, we have only 1 % of the free evolution territory. Our goal is to show what should be done in terms of strong protection, ”says Richard Holding, head of ASPAS communication. To do this, thanks to donations, the association acquires vast spaces where only the contemplative ride is authorized. In Drôme and Côtes-d’Armor, she created four wilderness reserves, for a total of 1,500 ha. “Creating a reserve is complicated. It is necessary to raise funds, contact owners and face shields which have aborted several projects, ”adds Richard Holding. This is why, in 2024, the ASPAS created a second level of protection which is aimed at citizens who wish to protect their land – a minimum of 5 ha – of all predations, wooden cuts, fishing or groovers.

Le Havre de Life Sauvage Bases on the real environmental obligation (ORE), a land protection land system created by the State in 2018. By a notarial act, the latter allows all citizens to protect for 99 years, a tree, a pond, a meadow, the banks of a river or even a piece of forest, even if their property is sold. To go further, ASPAS makes its expertise and legal support available to volunteers in order to prohibit hunting in the reserve, which is not so simple. “In France, to prohibit hunting at home, it is necessary to make a philosophical opposition and to formulate a request by recommended to the president of the Departmental Federation of Hunters, which itself will transmit it to the Communal Association of Authorized Hunting (ACCA). This request must be made within a maximum of six months before the renewal of the ACCA which takes place every five years, ”explains Alban Le Mell, ASPAS delegate in Dordogne.

Turn the fauna and flora

In Tourtoirac, Caty and Hans were able to take steps on time. In the spring of 2024, they signed their Ore and then obtained the Havre Life Labe label. The latter consists of 8 ha, mainly forests. Since a path that goes up in a gentle slope, Caty has spanned an embankment to sink into a wood in impenetrable places of oaks, chestnuts and conifers. “Here, the jay announces to its fellows our intrusion,” she smiles. In order not to disturb the fauna, I barely come every fortnight to recover the SD cards of the photo traps that I put everywhere, and to make sure that the hunters respect the ban, “she said in front of an Épricéa where some hairs glued to the resin attest to the passage of deer and wild boars.

In the middle of the brush, the walk continues to an impressive tower of steel. A few months ago, thanks to the financial support of a hundred donors, Caty and Hans bought a pattern. At the top, where the rifles pointed, now nests a family of Genettes.