The full-scale Ariège Festival was held in its new home in Cos, the environmental association inaugurated its head office

A market bringing together natural resources

The festival occupied several spaces in the town center of Kos. For those who wanted to take a walk, especially after the conference which brought together 120 people instead of the 30 expected, a market of creators and artisans awaited them.

The opportunity to see how we can use nature to create everyday objects. In addition to basketry and designs on wood, there was straw marquetry, plant lace made in Saurat, but also leather decorated with plant prints. Expertise practiced at Artix. Herbariums and little-known plants were also presented.

Discover nest boxes and install them

Birds are seriously lacking nest boxes to rest and reproduce peacefully. A stand was dedicated to them, with the exhibition of different nest boxes dedicated to specific species of birds. Signs explained to visitors the particularities of their habitats, offering instructions for making your own. Because to attract the hoopoe or the barn owl, you also have to take the trouble. Budding DIYers can rest assured, all it takes is a little good will and a few materials.

The biodiversity house has also placed numerous nest boxes on its walls and attic. “The bats have settled in, we see them and we hear them. A pigeon has also invaded the falcon nest box, but it may be dislodged,” says Théophile Rouaud, communications manager at Ana-Cen.

A plant fresco and walks to better understand your environment

All the little hands were invited to create a plant fresco, a tree of life with flowers and leaves, all kinds of plants. “We wanted to offer land art animation, we liked the participatory side of animation. The artist worked for the Lieurac Extraordinary Garden,” explained Théophile Rouaud. Time was also devoted to nature and family walks, on hedgehogs and bats.

To add a little touch of madness to this event, dramatized tours of the biodiversity house were led by an actress, while shows with the Farfeloup Company and concerts, with Coquelicot de Fogo and Manoutch Skandal, were on the program of the event. Saturday evening.

Animal canvases

Eight photographers who are members of Ana-Cen revealed some of their photos. Visitors were able to take flight with birds of prey of all sizes, flying over the peaks of the Pyrenees. They were also able to marvel at the insects delicately photographed by Maxime Sacré. Without forgetting landscapes and the famous summer climbs of sheep, cows and horses.

Nearby, a nature reading area and discovery mats for toddlers had been set up to develop children’s curiosity.

The biodiversity house inaugurated the day before

After three years of construction, the biodiversity center, headquarters of Ana-Cen, opened its doors. The association left its Alzen site to take shelter in an old farmhouse, rehabilitated taking into account ecological constraints.

The tree that grew in front of the entrance is still there, Ana-Cen intended to preserve it rather than raze it to facilitate the work. Parts of the old wood of the farmhouse were reused, the partitions mounted in raw earth, with the use of bio-sourced insulation. Without forgetting dry toilets.

This house was inaugurated the day before the festival, Friday October 4. The nineteen public and private funders were invited to a guided tour of the building, the cost of which amounts to 1.6 million euros.

This house is intended to be open to the general public. “We can welcome people to inform them and direct them to other structures. The house has a resource center. A cozy space where you can consult documents,” explains Théophile Rouaud, communications manager at Ana-Cen.

This site will also bring together all the stakeholders of the environmental association. “We are 35 employees, who work in this premises, with much better conditions than in Alzen. We will be able to bring together members (500 people, editor’s note) and active volunteers, highlight all our projects,” adds the manager.

A laboratory was set up to continue research. This space will be used to complete the Maugé herbarium.
The House of Biodiversity is intended to be an obligatory visit for all those curious about nature.