Environmental commitment
The CRS or Corporate Social Responsibility is defined by the European Commission as the voluntary involvement of businesses in social and environmental issues in their commercial activities and their relations with stakeholders. Therefore, our CSR approach is guided by our commitment to respect our environment. This is our fundamental value, which we have highlighted from the very beginning of our project to create an ecological campsite. This page, details this commitment, and at the bottom of the page we discuss the societal aspects of our CSR approach.
Our environmental policy
Our environment policy defines the main objectives of our ecological approach on the estate. We have introduced a global strategy to limit the impact as much as possible, on our exceptional and fragile environment. In keeping with our values, we wish to be part of a sustainable, welcoming and nature-friendly tourism. Today already, our commitment is already visible through our specific projects !
Be part of the action !
In the environmental policy we find all the “green” improvements carried out on the estate and defined by our team, our objectives and principles : our objectives for reducing our consumption, which labels, which suppliers, what to buy, what work to do … this also requires an action plan in order to respect these objectives.
Okay, but in practical terms ?
- The campsite is pedestrianised to avoid noise and visual pollution
- We maintain the grounds by weeding manually : zero pesticides
- We only use Ecolabel approved cleaning products
- We use noble materials such as wood in our new facilities to reduce the use of petroleum based products
- We are committed to improving our efficiency by monitoring water and electricity consumption on a weekly basis and by constantly reviewing operating methods
- We sort waste and encourage our guests to do so too
- A compost pavilion allows us to collect organic waste
- We have set up partnerships with local producers to supply the campsite’s shop with organic produce
Every year we review our objectives, update our policy and action plan as a team ! This process may seem a bit tedious, but it is essential for us to achieve our aims, to continue improving and to do more for the environment.
Our savings are significant and we want to do more !
Thanks to our commitment and that of our customers, between 2018 and 2019 we have reduced our energy consumption by :
- Electricity -10%
- Water -7%
We are grateful and very happy !
Projects to further improve our environmental commitment are as follows :
- Developing more partnerships with local organic producers to supply our campsite shop and restaurant
- Extending the organic vegetable allotment
- The installation of photovoltaic and thermal solar panels
L’Oiselière, giving nature its rightful place
Nature is often seen as a separate element with precise outlines, distinct boundaries, especially by us. But in fact, we are part of nature, as humans. So, everything is part of nature. To give nature its place is to give ourselves a place, to value nature is to value ourselves. This idea is not mine 😉 But I think it reflects the way we try to live here.
Lots of trees and shrubs planted, every year !
The first time we came l’Oiselière in 2014, we were immediately struck by the many large oak trees that were over one hundred years old. There were also other trees and hedgerows. It can be said, that even then, the nature was exceptional. However, there was very little low-lying vegetation, i.e. between 30 cm and 2 m. We decided to work with Erwan Dessberg, a landscape architect, to complete the vegetation. The idea was to use different countryside plants that were not only low-maintenance, but also drought-resistant, and fast growing varieties. It might seem complicated to find the right kind of trees and shrubs, but nature knows best ! We began our planting programme in 2015 and have since planted over 3000 trees and shrubs. The natural setting of the Domaine de l’Oiselière is becoming truly exceptional.
Here is a glimpse of what we have planted :
Quercus palustris (marsh oak)
Quercus robur (pedunculate oak)
Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust)
Acer campestre (field maple)
Fraxinus ornus or excelsior (ash)
Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust)
Castanea sativa (chestnut)
Vitex agnus castus (pepper tree)
Ligustrum vulgare (wild/common privet)
Cornus (dogwood)
Carpinus betulus (hornbeam)
Corylus avellana (hazel)
Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese silver grass/Eulalia)
Verbena bonariensis (purpletop vervain)
Gaura lindheimeri (60 cm perennials with white flowers)
This is of course, just a small selection of what we have planted.
We were not able to do all the planting ourselves, so we called on family members, friends and even Chauché’s senior citizens. This kind of physical work, using our hands, being in contact with the soil and plants, puts us back in touch with the world around us. A true connection with what is real and alive. It is also an excellent opportunity for sharing.
Permaculture on the estate
We started a small permaculture vegetable garden project, back in 2017. This concept is very much in line with our values. It’s an idea of letting nature take over. By choosing the right plant ‘association’, each one will be able to develop perfectly thanks to its neighbours. We observe nature and try to reproduce the ecosystem’s way of working on a vegetable garden scale. We do not dig the soil too deeply, to avoid disturbing the living organisms already present. Our vegetable garden is currently 35m² and we plan to extend it to about 100m². So there will be more to do and you can take part ! Removing the weeds, harvesting, watering …It will be a new family activity, the little ones just love getting their hands dirty ! The intention is also to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs for our restaurant the Petite Table de l’Oiselière in July and August. We also plan to plant an orchard. With a good harvest, we could have apple juice ‘made in l’Oiselière’ !
Our environmental labels
How can we promote our environmental efforts, how can we pursue this commitment and continue to improve on it every day ? Eco-labels are part of the answer and we have 3 to date !
The European Ecolabel
The Domaine de l’Oiselière has been awarded the European Ecolabel for its campsite ! What does this label mean ? Created in 2005, the European Ecolabel is a guarantee that the establishment where you are staying has the following commitments :
low energy consumpton
Low water consumption
low waste production
use of renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly products
information and customer education regarding environment issues
The establishments comply with strict criteria outlined in guidelines common to all EU countries. It is the only official European eco-label that can be used in all EU member states. It is issued in France by AFNOR Certification, an independent certifying organisation, following on-site audits. It is a voluntary certification mark for products and services. It is the most stringent of environmental labels ! Thanks to this label, we have been able to formalise our work : documents for monitoring consumption and waste disposal, the development of a green purchasing policy … it’s already 7 years since we were awarded this label and the adventure continues !
The Green Key
We obtained the Green Key/Clef Verte label in 2020. It has certainly established itself in recent years in both the accommodation and tourism sector and has finally become an essential asset. The year we obtained the label, we had the pleasure of welcoming Clément Lanoue or “Clément l’incruste” to our estate to discuss this label !
The Charte + nature
We have just been awarded this label and are among the first in France to have obtained it. This is the first label, that specifically promotes the ecological and sustainable management of our natural spaces/areas. What’s more, the promotion and biodiversity development is one of the label’s major work areas. As usual with these labels, we will use the Charte + nature to establish an action plan for our ecological campsite here in the Vendée and improve our way of working.
Other labels ?
Perhaps the 1% for the planet label ? We are very interested in this one, we have to say that its concept appeals to us, it is tangible : it consists in donating 1% of your annual turnover to the organisation, money that will be used to finance green projects 🙂 We are still thinking about it but the team is quite excited by the idea !
The societal pillar of our CSR approach
On one hand, our CSR approach, is guided by the objectives of being a place where everyone can stay and, on the other , of being integrated into a heterogeneous local network.
Here is an insight into our achievements :
- We have introduced accommodation and services adapted for PRM, so that they can enjoy their stay with us (Tourism and Handicap Label)
- We promote our local producers by offering their products in our campsite shop and restaurant
- Whenever possible, we donate our second-hand items and materials on the leboncoin website.
- The ESAT organises the annual laundering of our duvets and pillows
- We adjust arrival and departure times for clients to make carpooling easier
