There are rustlings afoot in the greenery on campus! With new outdoor areas, landscaping and changes to maintenance practices, the Institut Pasteur is improving its green spaces to strike a more effective balance between quality of life and respect for the environment.

New relaxation areas

A new contractor, IdVerde, has been working since May 29 to improve the picnic areas located between buildings 9 and 10 (Education Center – Agnes Ullman), behind the greenhouse. The aim is to recreate comfortable, pleasant and accessible grassy areas for breaks and socializing among colleagues.

As well as redesigning these spaces to reflect staff needs, there has been a move towards a more environmentally friendly "differentiated maintenance" approach (see below), aimed at preserving biodiversity.

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Creation of the CeRIAH/CMIP patio

This week, a new relaxation area is being finalized: the CeRIAH/CMIP patio. 
This project will feature four strata of endemic species from the Paris region, together with coco mulch.

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What is differentiated maintenance?

You might have noticed that some areas on campus are not mowed as often or seem to be more "wild." This is a deliberate choice – frequent mowing is the main reason why lawns have low biodiversity. 
 
Differentiated maintenance is an approach that treats green spaces differently depending on what they are used for:
    •    high-use areas (like lawns designed for relaxing) are maintained regularly;
    •    other spaces are left in a more natural state to encourage biodiversity.

Why this approach?

• To preserve biodiversity

  Mowing too often depletes flora and fauna. Leaving some areas to develop naturally promotes insects, birds and plant diversity.
   
• To improve quality of life at work

  Creating a variety of different spaces – lawns, planted areas and spaces left to grow wild – brings life and vitality to campus and makes the environment cooler and a nicer place to spend time.
   
• To reduce the environmental impact
  
Mowing less means less pollution (fewer emissions, fertilizers and pesticides) and avoids disrupting ecosystems.
   
• To raise awareness of the natural environment

  Leaving spaces to grow wild gives us a better understanding of natural balances and encourages more responsible behavior.

The idea is not "less maintenance" but rather smart maintenance, taking into account how spaces are used and the wildlife around us.

As part of this landscaping maintenance, a diseased chestnut tree will also be removed in early June, in front of the Monod building. This action is necessary to ensure safety on the site. The green spaces around the Roux project will help offset the removal of this tree.
 
A collective project

This new strategy is the result of a cross-cutting effort between:

• the Real Estate and Technical Department (the Real Estate Projects Unit and the General Services Department),
• the Biodiversity group in the GreenTeam,
• and the CSR Department.

Explanatory boards have been installed on campus to explain the strategy in more detail.
 
Further information
 
Lasting changes on campus

In connection with Paris City Council's Bioclimatic Local Urban Plan, the Institut Pasteur is stepping up its efforts to encourage wildlife on campus.
 
Aims:

• to create more than 1,000m² of planted areas
• to improve the working and living environment for Institut Pasteur staff and local residents
• to encourage non-motorized transport
• to stimulate dialog in a greener environment
   

The future "Traverse Jardin"
By 2035, the Institut Pasteur campus will feature a central landscaped garden, aimed at:

• creating a cooling effect,
• promoting biodiversity.

The work began in May 2023 near the greenhouse, with:

• road resurfacing,
• the creation of new green spaces,
• planting of more resistant species that require less water,
• the development of more natural areas aimed at promoting biodiversity, especially based on the differentiated maintenance approach.

Creating a greener, more dynamic and sustainable campus is an ongoing process, and we can all play our part by joining the Biodiversity group in the GreenTeam.