As part of an educational project, students carried out a comprehensive initiative—from identifying the need to implementation—for the Agron and Clunisois Basin Natura 2000 site. Six bat roosts are planned across three municipalities (Tramayes, Trambly, and Saint-Point), with two roosts already installed at the Saint-Point town hall. This initiative aims to support local species and raise residents’ awareness of biodiversity conservation.
An educational project managed from start to finish
This project is part of an educational initiative: the students worked in a real-world setting, with a client and a set of specifications. They handled "the entire process—from design and defining the specifications and requirements with the client" all the way through to production.
The goal was to design bat houses suitable "primarily for two different sizes of bats."
Throughout the project, students reported having developed key skills:
- use of new machines,
- attention to detail in rendering,
- meeting deadlines,
- and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations.
One challenge we encountered was the difficulty in finding boards in the originally planned dimensions, which led us to revise the dimensions and adjust the design using CAD (computer-aided design). "We had to react quickly, adapt, and meet the deadlines despite this last-minute change. "
Six vacation rentals planned across three municipalities
Following discussions with the interested municipalities, the final allocation is as follows:
- 2 vacation rentals near the Tramayes school
- 2 vacation rentals in Trambly (one near the school and one near the post office, probably)
- 2 vacation rentals in the municipality of Saint-Point
In total, six nesting boxes make up the first phase of the project. According to the information provided, the installation will take place throughout May, with two nesting boxes already installed on the Saint-Point town hall.
A partnership with Natura 2000
The project is being carried out in partnership with Natura 2000, as part of the Agron and Clunisois Basin Natura 2000 site. Alexandre Mallet, project manager and Natura 2000 coordinator, explains that the project focuses on the southern part of the site, specifically the southern portion of the Clunisois Community of Communes and the Saint-Cyr-Merboitier Community of Communes.
The selected municipalities (Saint-Point, Tramayes, Trambly) were chosen to implement biodiversity initiatives.
Beyond simply being installed, these shelters address a real-world challenge: providing refuge in places where natural habitats are becoming less accessible, because “more and more, everything is being filled in—there are no more holes for sparrows or bats.” The shelters thus serve as a refuge, particularly in built-up areas.
A warm welcome in Saint-Point
The town of Saint-Point has praised the quality of the birdhouses installed at the town hall. The town hall expresses its gratitude "for the creation of the two bat houses" and highlights their location "adjacent to an orchard of old-variety apple and pear trees, " which is conducive to the bats' nocturnal activity.
In light of local interest, the Saint-Point town hall has indicated that it is interested in establishing two additional guesthouses at the town’s school.
Students in the project:
- Aurélie PURGINA,
- Clémence DE TROGOFF COATALLIO,
- Hernan ROY,
- Amaury CURE.
