A pond becomes a nature discovery space, accessible to all

"The site is fantastic and deserves to be improved. It is popular with the young inhabitants of the area. The project will certainly promote the development of an ecological awareness among them. But this achievement, which is supported by motivated, competent and available volunteers, will also benefit the entire population."

Nathalie Senard

Bouligny, a former mining township in the confines of the Meuse district and Luxembourg, was lucky to keep a large part of its population when mining operations came to an end. Thanks to the jobs found nearby and across the border, but also because of a conserved living environment. The ponds of Amermont, in particular, offer restful and pleasant spaces for inveterate fishermen and others. The nonprofit La Gaule Boulinéenne, founded in 1951 to fight poaching, spares no effort to manage, maintain and enhance the wealth of this specific aquatic environment and its banks. Its growing reputation and the significant increase in the number of members have vindicated the staff of La Gaule Boulinéenne in their determination to go even further. Today, they are launching a complete redevelopment of the site, with the aim to turn it into an ecological showcase for the entire region.

In the path of migratory birds

Ash, alder, maple, spruce, pine, beech, birch, etc. About thirty species of trees will be planted around the pond of Mauhumaux, along a botanic trail designed to make it easier for persons with reduced mobility. A lookout will help admire the many species of migratory birds (common cranes, ducks, teals, cormorants, moorhens, swans, coots, herons, egrets, grebes, etc.) which stop here. And the children will have a place dedicated to the discovery of the fauna and flora of their region, as well as educational workshops for raising awareness of the environment.

The Veolia Foundation is participating in purchasing the facilities and in funding the operations scheduled to start in September 2010. One year later, in the fall of 2011, the ponds of Amermont will offer the neighboring population an even more comely visage, new opportunities to appreciate this ecosystem, and will no doubt arouse the universal desire to take better care of it.