Raising awareness among younger generations about forest biodiversity

As part of its civic commitment to forest biodiversity, the Michelin Corporate Foundation supports preservation, restoration, and awareness-raising projects aimed at better understanding and protecting these vital ecosystems. Faced with accelerating climate change, forests confront major challenges: recurring droughts, stand dieback, pest proliferation, and an increased risk of fire. Preserving their biodiversity and strengthening their resilience is a crucial issue for future generations. 

It is with this in mind that the Foundation is supporting the ONF – Agir pour la forêt endowment fund in the creation of a Forest Educational Area within the Royat State Arboretum in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. 

Located just 6 km from Clermont-Ferrand, at the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the “Chaîne des Puys”, the Royat Arboretum is an ideal place to discover the forest. Established in 1934, it spans 42 hectares and features 40 tree species, offering a tangible way to raise public awareness about forest diversity and how forests adapt to climate change. 

Conceived as a place for learning amidst nature, the Forest Educational Area will welcome school groups—from preschool through middle school—and the general public free of charge. Its goal is to enable younger generations to discover, observe, and understand forest ecosystems and the issues surrounding their preservation. Developed in partnership with the French Ministry of Education, the project utilizes educational and digital resources that allow teachers to prepare for and lead their visits independently. 

By leveraging the Royat Arboretum as an educational tool, this project helps deepen understanding of forestry issues and foster a culture of nature conservation. It is a concrete way to take action today, enabling both humanity and nature to thrive sustainably in the future.