hedges to combat the effects of snow

See my news
Follow Metropolitan

This Friday, November 22, the Department of Hérault plant a third honey hedge at the edge of the RD169 to Fraïsse-sur-Agout to combat the formation ofsnow drifts in the Hauts Cantons. A solution ecological and sustainable to ensure the safety of users.

An ecological and sustainable solution

During winters, snow and wind sometimes combine to create snowdriftsthese large piles of snow which form on mountain roads and obstruct traffic. To combat this problem, the Department is deploying this solution in collaboration with an establishment for workers with disabilities and by associating with the planting the local school group.

Preserve biodiversity

Replanting hedges along the edges of fields and roads in Hérault constitutes a virtuous objective because of their role in nature protection. Integrated into the landscape, they constitute ecological corridorsmore durable and more economical. In France, it is considered that 70% of hedges have disappeared from the French countryside since 1950. However, these hedges against snowdrifts have several advantages over traditional snow barrier techniques, generally made of plastic nets. In fact, they allow:

• To promote honey production and pollination (their flowers are rich in pollen and nectar)
• To shelter animals that are pollinators or predators of pests
• To fight against soil erosion
• To improve water quality and infiltration
• To store carbon to adapt to climate change

More than 70 shrubs

With a total length of 100mthe hedge will be made up of more than 70 shrubs. The young plants were carefully chosen by a landscaper, favoring, on the one hand, local varieties that are resistant to the climateand on the other hand honey varieties promoting the development of pollinating insects: holly, hawthorn, dogwood, plum, rosehip, rowan, etc.

A united and intergenerational project

The Department chose to have the soil preparation carried out by workers with disabilities from an ESAT (Establishment and Work Assistance Service), a structure which allows people with disabilities to exercise a professional activity while benefiting from medico-social and educational support in a protected environment.

The planting of plants will take place with agents, students and teachers from the Fraïsse-sur-Agout school group. A great opportunity to introduce children to the job of departmental agents and to raise their awareness of biodiversity.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.