Seventy-five percent of French forests are owned by private individuals. The vast majority of these owners possess less than one hectare, meaning very small plots. Most do not live or have never lived on the land, and sometimes reside at the other end of France or even the world. The idea of RAF was to create a tool that allows associations to access the forests in their territory and engage in activities that offer alternatives: wood harvesting, nature activities, forest outings, forest schools.
Forêts en vie acquires parcels through donations of money, forest land, and bequests. Once these forests are acquired, they are permanently protected from speculation as they belong to a non-profit organization of public interest, and are made available to other non-profit organizations of public interest. They are assured never to fall back into private hands but to continue benefiting everyone.
"We make these forests that we acquire available to local associations,” emphasizes Nathalie Naulet. “This is truly a local commitment, a stance to ensure that the woods and forests can provide wealth, not just monetary wealth, but also human, ethical, and ecological wealth. That all these activities are genuinely carried out by people who live locally.”
"The forest is the water we drink,” explains Nathalie Naulet. “It generates water, and when there are more forests, there is more water. It is also the air we breathe; it acts as a great air filter. Without it, you face significant problems with dust and winds that are no longer slowed down by trees. It is also a place where many species, both animal and plant, come together.”
Forêts en vie is a citizen movement that allows everyone to contribute by making a donation or participating as a project leader. “With an entry point that is crucial for us, the social aspect, which means fair compensation for local actors, such as loggers and hauliers.”
