In partnership with the French Environment Agency, 5 acres of Hoffman’s writer’s retreat in the Bordeaux forest are being ReWilded (or ReNatured, as the French prefer to say). From previously manicured gardens, the ecology is now regaining its natural state, boosting the rare birds and butterflies, otter, toads, turtles, salamanders, eels, pine martens, watersnakes, deer and boar that have already come back there. The famous river Ciron that runs beside the property is a 'Site of Scientific Interest' for its flora and fauna, This spectacular 1-minute film flies you over the river. The authorities are applying for UNESCO heritage status for the river and its banks.
The Hoffmans’ rewilding project produced a Year 1 Biodiversity Report. It lists all the plant and wildlife species identified and protected on the property during the project’s first year. Click here for a quick look. Year 5 will coincide with Marella Hoffman’s book about the 33 protected, rare or threatened species she has encountered on the property. Called Les Voix de la Forêt ~ Façonner l’Avenir Ensemble dans un Village du Sud Gironde, it gives voice to the opposing and complementary needs of both humans and more-than-humans in this valley community, engaging dialogue around the environmental and political challenges ahead.
Research shows that ReWilding projects also bring profound benefits to human brain function, well-being and creativity. To tackle society's problems ahead, we'll all need a lot more of that. Enjoy a stroll below around the property's nature reserve.
