Each year since 2004, the town of Cerizay in the Deux-Sèvres department runs a training course in bocage management for ONCFS employees nationwide.

The "Bocage and wildlife expertise centre correspondents" course

Course aims :

CTrain correspondents in regions concerned by bocage and hedgerow issues. Enhance employees’ knowledge of the biological requirements of wildlife and bocage environments. Apply research results to the practical management of the static elements that make up a bocage landscape.

Course contents :
The course is organised jointly by the Poitou-Charentes/Limousin Inter-Regional Delegation and the Human Resources Department. The Local Action Department and the Studies and Research Department also contribute, in their respective fields. The course, which is taught by bocage specialists from ONCFS and partners, makes the connection between the biological and ecological needs of animal species, on one hand, and bocage management practices, on the other. Farmers and other representatives from the rural community present a selection of tools that can be used for managing static bocage components such as hedges, grass strips and riparian vegetation.

The course focuses in particular on :
 Hedgerow surveys,
 Hedge planting.

The course features two half-day field trips :
 Established bocage,
 Reconstituted bocage,
 Bocage in the process of reconstitution.

This course is supported by a number of partners, including Bocage Pays Branché, CREN Poitou-Charentes, DDEA 79, CNRS Chizé and farmers.