Driven by the Amis de l'ESEP association, the "Espaces vivants" project aims to create, preserve, enhance and revitalise natural areas in the vicinity of the five schools located in the Nyon La Côte area, especially at the Elisabeth de Portes primary and secondary school in Crassier.

In line with the 2019-2030 Biodiversity Action Plan conducted by the canton of Vaud and the Swiss Biodiversity Strategy, this pilot educational project promoting biodiversity, landscape and ecosystem service awareness in the canton of Vaud addresses hands-on solutions to protect the local living heritage.

The measures include the creation of rewilded areas around schools with several ecosystems, with the aim of taking concrete action to promote biodiversity while acquiring knowledge and experience in many areas. Cultural landscape elements are also an integral part of the project.

The areas reorganised inside the public school grounds by pupils and teachers under the supervision of specialists offer multiple opportunities to make young people aware of environmental protection and provide a vast source of teaching aids that meet the objectives set out in the Plan d’études romand (curriculum of the French-speaking part of Switzerland).

Supported from 2021 to 2023 in its pilot phase by the Audemars Piguet Foundation for Trees, the project has already led to the implementation of 37 actions and 20 maintenance measures for a total of 2,162 m² of revitalised surface area, including the creation of a 140 m² wetland, an 82 m² dryland and ruderal area, as well as 39 linear metres of fruit hedges and 70 linear metres of hedgerows.