L’éducation relative à l’environnement pour stimuler différents niveaux d’engagement environnemental : le cas du dispositif Mon Village Espace de Biodiversité

The 20th century has been marked by a larger space left for citizen participation in the public arena. However, the impact of these initiatives remains to be investigated. This article explores the way a science-based program promoting citizen initiatives for biodiversity can encourage adults’ involvement. It is based on the example of an environmental education program launched in the Long Term Ecological Research platform (LTSER) Plaine et Val de Sèvre area (France) : Mon Village Espace de Biodiversité. Various levels of environmental action are proposed to inhabitants through this program. The installation and the observation of a wooden insect shelter in private gardens (individual level) ; the participation to the management of a public apiary (communal level) ; the involvement in a group of citizens leading projects for biodiversity protection (territory level). In 2016, we explored the consequences of such participations though qualitative and quantitative studies, as well as through an evaluation workshop. Our results showed that these initiatives provide opportunities to be in contact with nature, which can promote pro-environmental initiatives in the private sphere ; increase citizen knowledge and affinity for nature ; encourage the social cohesion within a village ; and promote volunteers’ empowerment and the formation of citizens communities