Restoring riverbanks

The French city of Lyon has one of the most progressive city halls in the country when it comes to promoting environmental measures. But the riverbanks of the Saône, one of the two big rivers in Lyon, are largely plastered in concrete walkways and lack essential diversity in river animal and plant species. One biodiversity organization is trying to change that.

The volunteers assembled by the organization "Des espèces parmi’Lyon" on the bank of the Saône river.
The volunteers assembled by the organization "Des espèces parmi’Lyon" on the bank of the Saône river.
Quentin Brunelle, co-founder of the organization, briefs the volunteers.
Quentin Brunelle, co-founder of the organization, briefs the volunteers.
The volunteers will dig up part of the unused riverbank to plant native species and create a wetland environment.
The volunteers will dig up part of the unused riverbank to plant native species and create a wetland environment.
Quentin Brunelle and Matthieu Coumoul from "Des Espèces parmi'Lyon" explain how to plant willow seedlings in the dug-up riverbank.
Quentin Brunelle and Matthieu Coumoul from "Des Espèces parmi'Lyon" explain how to plant willow seedlings in the dug-up riverbank.
The volunteers dig up part of the riverbank.
The volunteers dig up part of the riverbank.
Matthieu Coumoul explains the characteristics of the plants that the organisation has chosen for regreening the riverbanks.
Matthieu Coumoul explains the characteristics of the plants that the organisation has chosen for regreening the riverbanks.