SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS

French Ministry of Ecology

The Water and Biodiversity Direction (DEB) of the Ministry of Ecology supports the project and sees the conference as an important event and especially as an opportunity for international exchange on the implementation of the National Restoration Plan.

French Biodiversity Agency - OFB

The French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) is a public institution dedicated to the protection and restoration of biodiversity in metropolitan France and its overseas Territories, under the supervision of the Ministries of Ecology and Agriculture & Food.

One of the national agencies of the OFB, for marine biodiversity, is located in Brest, allowing a direct participation in the organization of the conference.

The participation of OFB and the support of the Ministry of Ecology will contribute to make the conference a national event, integrated in the national political agenda.

       University of Brest – Laboratoire Geoarchitecture

The University of Brest, also known as the University of Western Brittany, is located in the far west of France. It is a pluridisciplinary university of 23 000 students, integrated in its territory with numerous partnerships with local public and private stakeholders.

The university is involved in a national network and research program on ecological restoration, in particular through the research team "Laboratoire Géoarchitecture". which will be the main organizer of the conference. It is also internationally recognized in marine sciences and is part of the SEA-UE network.

The Laboratoire Géoarchitecture has been developing research on restoration ecology since the early 2000's and has a wide range of partners, both academic and non-academic. Research on restoration or related topics concern in particular heathlands, peatlands, wetlands (both continental and coastal) and urban areas.

The team is leading an Interreg NSR project "Darker Sky" which will end in 2026. The final restoration seminar of this project will be integrated in the conference as a special symposium.  This will allow to open the conference to a topic not well addressed: restoration of ecological infrastructures and in particular dark infrastructure.

The Laboratoire Géoarchitecture will coordinate the organization of the conference as lead partner. Students of the University (Master in Conservation and Ecology) will also be mobilized for the organization of the conference.

French Network on Ecological Restoration – REVER

REVER, affiliated to SER-Europe, is the French network for ecological restoration. It brings together different actors of ecological restoration, researchers, practitioners and students. REVER contributes to the diffusion of information in particular through the organization of an annual conference, it also participates in national debates.

REVER will contribute to the organization in both practical and scientific aspects, and in particular to the national dissemination of the conference.

Forum des Marais Atlantiques - FMA

The Forum des Marais Atlantiques (FMA) was born in the 1990s from the idea shared by its founders that a mediation space was needed to facilitate the sustainable management of wetlands, to overcome the conflicts of use that are still too frequent in these man-made areas, and to reconcile human activities with good water management, both in terms of quality and quantity.

To achieve these objectives, the Forum des Marais Atlantiques works in three main directions, using multidisciplinary approaches:

• To increase and disseminate knowledge about wetlands;
• Providing methodological and technical advice to project leaders;
• Animating the networks and the community of public and private actors of territories concerned by the conservation of wetlands..

 The FMA will bring its expertise on wetland restoration and help integrate the various stakeholders.

Brest Métropole

Brest Métropole is a partner of the University on different themes related to ecological restoration and particularly on two important topics, the restoration of urban wetlands on which its urban ecology service has extensive experience and the reduction of light pollution for which it has a proactive approach, particularly within the framework of European projects

Brest Métropole brings to the conference both logistical and financial support but also its experience in restoring wetlands and ecological networks. 

Le Parc Naturel Régional d’Armorique (Regional Natural Park of Armorique)

The PNRA is a key and historical player in the preservation of biodiversity in Finistère. It develops and supports ecological restoration practices throughout its territory both on the coast and within the Monts d'Arrée; its actions reflect the diversity of environments it hosts, from moist bogs and moors to coastal and marine environments, from the de-resination to the restoration of oyster populations.

The Regional Natural Park of Armorique ensures a territorial anchoring to the conference and strongly contributes to the organization of field visits that will allow to illustrate the regional expertise in terms of ecological restoration.

Institut Agro Rennes – INRAE

The UM DECOD research teams of INRAE/Institut Agro (Rennes) are developing research on wetland restoration. They're particularly involved in research programs that follow the removal of two large dams on the river Selune in Normandy.

At the national level, an internal working group of INRAE coordinates and leads activities on restoration ecology.

The Institut Agro and INRAE will contribute to the conference both for the organization (in particular for the post-conference trip and by mobilizing students) and at national and European level by mobilizing their researchers and networks.

IFREMER - IUEM

IFREMER, the French Institute of Marine Sciences, is located in Brest and is associated with the UBO in particular through the IUEM (European Institute of Marine Studies).

Within this framework, researchers develop research on marine restoration through various programs. They also contribute to the organization of a national workshop on marine and coastal restoration in collaboration with the OFB and members of the Laboratoire Géoarchitecture.

The involvement of IFREMER will provide the opportunity to develop marine restoration topics during the conference and to make links with specialized networks.

Conservatoire Botanique National de Brest

The national Botanic Conservatory of Brest, is one of the oldest in France and in the world. Its main aim is the conservation of rare and endangered species (plant) both in- and ex-situ. Ecological restoration was recently included in Conservatories mission as it essential to re-establish favorable condition for these species.

The CBNB will actively contribute to the organization of the conference as local partner but also contribute to increase link with national and international networks of botanical gardens and conservatories.