Discover the birds of Paris

CODE: ANEC08

Location: Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Context

Welcome to the Bois de Vincennes, one of Paris's two "green lungs," where École du Breuil, a horticulture school, opens its doors to us for the third time. Discover its iconic sites, such as Vincennes Castle, the Floral Park, and the Paris Farm, along with numerous areas perfect for walking and outdoor activities. Don’t miss a visit to Paris itself: historical monuments, museums, picturesque neighborhoods, and summer festivals! École du Breuil, a horticultural school in Paris, is located within the city's public gardens. Last year, volunteers conducted fauna and flora surveys to enrich the school's data and introduce visitors to citizen science. This year, the goal is to build a birdhouse wall tailored to local species, to promote biodiversity and encourage birdwatching.

Mission

Have you ever heard of citizen science? This year, you'll be searching for the garden's birds, but not just any way! Pierre-Yves, our technical facilitator, along with the park's gardeners, will guide you through the observation protocols. The goal: to build birdhouses tailored to the recorded species, by determining the ideal dimensions, then cutting and assembling the wood. These birdhouses will also serve as educational tools for students and visitors. A second project will involve creating woven plant elements and wooden installations to enrich the outdoor classroom space and link it to the birdhouse wall via a "vegetal" path. These work sessions, alongside passionate experts in fauna and flora, will also provide an opportunity to exchange ideas about the ecological management of natural spaces and the principles of permaculture.

Daily life

Beyond the working hours, volunteers come together to organise daily life on the camp. Often divided into teams, they plan menus, help with the shopping, prepare meals, and ensure the cleanliness of shared spaces. Fully involved in shaping your experience, you will also take part in decisionmaking regarding group activities and daily organization!

Accomodation

Volunteers will sleep in individual tents, within the École du Breuil park. They will have access to communal living spaces near the campsite: outdoor kitchen, students' lounge (with a relaxation area, foosball, ping pong table), showers, and toilets.

What you will find on site:
- 1 small tent per person
- Backup solution in case of bad weather: students' lounge and classrooms that can be transformed into dormitories if needed
- Toilets near the campsite
- Individual showers, sports locker-room style
- Hand washing for laundry
- Outdoor kitchen
- Dining/living space and relaxation area: students' lounge with sofas, ping pong table, foosball, and board games + large park with tennis court