Solidarity and mutual aid Protecting nature and the environment Loire

Apple sketches work for the preservation of deserving fruit varieties and initiate those who wish to return to land to good practices and organic farming, respectful of the environment. As managers of conservatory orchards with 200 varieties of different apples, 120 varieties of cherry and pear trees, and about thirty plums, apple sketchers retain the genetic heritage of ancient varieties of fruit trees interesting for their tastes and robustness. They regularly organize workshops/formations of the size of trees, and they participate in many biological salons.

France Nature Environnement Loire is active in a number of areas: public awareness, pollution control, land-use planning... A true grassroots player, FNE Loire protects the department's natural environments and manages two remarkable sites: the Ecopôle du Forez and the Maison de la Réserve naturelle régionale des gorges de la Loire. The federation has also launched "Loire en Vert", a program of nature outings in the département. To perpetuate its nature protection activities, donations can be made via the website.

En Boîte le Plat aims to reduce the use of disposable food packaging, which is harmful to health and the environment. Born in Toulouse, the project has spread to 5 towns in France, including Saint-Étienne, where it is run by volunteers from La Folie des Gandoles. The idea is simple: En Boîte le Plat makes returnable glass containers available to partner retailers. In this way, they can serve their customers directly from these boxes, rather than in disposable packaging. Once the meal is finished, the consumer returns the box to the place where he or she picked it up.