The Department of Seine-Saint-Denis is strengthening its tree policy

On this occasion, a boost was given to this plan, with the continuation of the signature of the charter of commitment for the trees of the territory and the launch of the call for projects “Urban Forest”.

In 2020, the Department of Seine-Saint-Denis voted an investment plan of 60 million euros, the "Canopy plan", with the main objective of increasing the tree cover of the territory from 16% to 20% by 2030, and to plant 30.000 trees. This plan also aims to protect the existing tree heritage while mobilizing and raising public awareness of environmental issues.

A first assessment since the launch of the Canopée plan

Since 2020, 16.000 trees have been planted by the Department, along departmental roads, in nurseries or in colleges, with in particular the creation of three oasis courtyards, but also in parks, such as that of the Fosse Maussoin in Clichy -sous-Bois, where 10.000 new plants are growing. The first urban forests were also created, such as in Sevran or Epinay-sur-Seine.

Today, the Department has 96 different species – compared to 55 in 2019 – more adapted to climate change. 45% are native species, compared to 33% in 2019. The plantations carried out have made it possible to create 14 ha of additional average tree cover (trees in adulthood) and to de-waterproof 7.632 m².

A charter of commitment for the trees of Seine-Saint-Denis

In order to involve and raise awareness among local partners, both public and private, of the environmental and social issues represented by the place of trees in the city, the Department has set out the objectives of its Canopy plan through a charter . By signing it, local authorities, donors, large landowners, developers or associations, undertake to pursue the 3 main ambitions of the Canopée plan: Develop the Department's tree heritage, protect it and mobilize for its preservation. and its growth.

On Tuesday April 19 at the Maison du Parc Jean-Moulin Les-Guilands, 11 actresses and actors signed this charter: EPT Plaine Commune; the towns of Montreuil, Ile-Saint-Denis and Bagnolet; the National Union of Landscaping Companies; the associations Nature and Us, Sens de l'humus, Ferme du Sausset, Environnement 93, Forbidden Fruits and ANIMA.

They join the six previous signatories: the cities of La Courneuve, Saint-Denis and Noisy-le-Sec, Seine-Saint-Denis Habitat, Séquano Aménagement and the Halage association.

A call for projects for the creation of urban forests

In order to help the local authorities of Seine-Saint-Denis to enhance their land by developing their tree heritage, the Department is launching its call for “Urban Forest” projects this year.

The winners will be able to benefit from:

• financial support of a maximum of €35.000 per urban forest project
• technical support for the conduct of their operation: provision of the Canopée Technical Guide; methodological support for the launch of preliminary studies, the design and implementation of the project
• support for the promotion of their project

For this first edition, two to three urban forest projects will be supported. Applications can be submitted now and until June 3, 2022. The winning projects will be revealed in July.

For Stéphane Troussel, President of the Department of Seine-Saint-Denis: "While the health crisis has highlighted the pressing need to give more space to nature in the city, the Department has embarked on an exceptional and sustainable effort to develop and preserve its tree heritage, but also to plant new species, adapted to the announced climatic upheavals. We will not be able to achieve these ambitious objectives alone. With Belaïde Bedreddine, Vice-president in charge of urban ecology, we would therefore like to thank all the partners, from the public as well as private, more and more of them are committing alongside us to create a real departmental tree policy in Seine-Saint-Denis and improve the living environment of the inhabitants."