Always at the Heart of Our Actions
In a time of climate change, biodiversity conservation has become a vital issue. A true nature lover and aware of the priceless wealth of the La Gacilly land of his childhood, Mr. Yves Rocher was always aware that it was essential to conserve the precious and fragile balance of the living world.
This forward-looking conviction has guided the way we grow our plants and produce our care products with the greatest respect for nature. Today, more than ever, we unceasingly include conservation of biodiversity in the way we work and act, thus proving that responsible beauty is possible.
Conserving Plant Diversity
Responsible Growing and Production Processes
At La Gacilly, the birthplace of our brand and the place we grow our botanical ingredients, we have striven since our beginnings to preserve nature which offers us so much in return.
Agroecology, organic farming, research, etc., we deeply respect the natural rhythms and ecosystems. The way we grow our plants for example (Chamomile, Cornflower, Calendula, etc.) guarantees their quality while improving soil fertility and increasing plant diversity of our land.
Our 9 emblematic plants have also been UEBT* certified (to ensure sourcing that respects people and biodiversity) since 30 July 2021. In this context, we have devised a strategy to concretely assess our actions for conserving and preserving biodiversity.
A Precious Botanical Garden
Created in 1975, our Botanical Garden, covering 2 hectares of land at La Gacilly, is a true open-air laboratory. We keep and study over 1,500 plant species there and share our knowledge with over 200 Botanical Gardens around the world. A real treasure, as well as a “Host Garden” for rare and threatened plant species.
This unique place benefits from several certifications, including that of the Jardins Botaniques de France et des pays francophones (Botanical Gardens of France and French-speaking Countries) and a Botanic Gardens Conservation International membership.
The Yves Rocher Foundation Committed For The Living World
But our commitment goes well beyond our land at La Gacilly: as the leading patron of the Yves Rocher Foundation, for 30 years we have supported its actions in favor of biodiversity. We are especially proud of having celebrated at its side, the 100 million trees planted around the world thanks to its Plant for Life program.
Its new target: plant 35 million trees by 2025, by always choosing species suited to their environment and working with local communities. A way for us to honor the wonderful virtues of trees, a real reservoir of biodiversity which is essential for life of our beautiful planet.
Contributing to the Protection of Animal Species
Creating a Suitable Environment
By producing our raw materials with the greatest respect for the living world (agroecology, high mowing, sustainable management of hedges, non-use of herbicides, etc.), we contribute to increasing the number of plant species, encouraging the multiplication of local fauna (insects, earthworms, birds, etc.).
We have also deployed many systems to protect it: reptile hideouts, bat boxes, butterfly and ladybug shelters, fruit tree plantations, creation of a pond, etc.
Protecting Pollinators
Bees are a key link in the cycle of living organisms and that is why we are actively fighting to stop their extinction. Therefore, we have installed 200 beehives on our 60 hectares of organic flower fields or on edges of fields and on all of our sites. The result? 10 million bees at La Gacilly, fill us with joy by producing nearly 5 tonnes of honey per year. A delight for the plants and for our taste buds. In Morocco, we also support beekeeping in 5 villages by creating beehives.
As well as preserving pollinators, this initiative helps women to diversify their activity and improve their living conditions and to develop their autonomy by providing them with a new source of income.
Offering a Privileged Habitat for Birds
100% of our sites as well as our Botanical Garden are LPO-Certified Biodiversity Refuges (LPO: League for the Protection of Birds).
For the past 11 years, our commitment to this major association has allowed us to preserve the local ecosystem and identify 82 bird species including 58 nesting species, 28 species of odonates (damselfly family), 57 species of butterflies as well as hares, badgers, etc.
The animals are happy and so are we!
Women Caring For The Earth
Supporting the Yves Rocher Foundation also means contributing to the projects of exceptional women who are committed to biodiversity.
Plastic recycling, water management, reforestation, soil regeneration, bio-waste usage, etc. Their actions are many and virtuous. And this year, animal biodiversity is front and center, since the Terre de Femmes International Awards 2022 are dedicated to the subject of “Wild fauna essential for the natural equilibrium”.
We are happy to support the development of their incredible projects!
Thanks To You
Everything we have achieved tirelessly over many years to safeguard biodiversity would not be possible without your support. Since, for any purchase of our most environmentally friendly products, online or in store, the Yves Rocher Foundation will plant a tree. Thank you for your commitment and standing along-side us!
As has always been the case, we tirelessly seek to protect the fragile balance of the living world, essential for the future of our beautiful planet. And if you too wish to learn more about the magic of nature, come and visit our Botanical Garden or the brand-new Biodiversity Observatory of the Yves Rocher Foundation.
We look forward to seeing you at La Gacilly!
