The design and implementation of our landscaping projects include a strong emphasis on the restoration of natural environments: wooded embankments, shrub borders or meadows. Once the inert soil has been brought in and the project’s contours finalized, ECT’s Green Spaces teams work to revegetate and renaturalize the sites, in line with the defined ecological challenges. Backed by their expertise, our teams create sustainable landscapes adapted to their environment.
A passionate team in direct contact with biodiversity
Work on green spaces is very demanding. The ECT team, led by Cédric Hobé, is solid and experienced. Jorge, Delmindo and Alberto have been with ECT for 24, 26 and 12 years respectively. “We’ve put down roots here.“ says Jorge.
This long experience within the company shows that their profession is evolving. Delmindo agrees : “ The business has changed a lot. We have become aware of the ecological dimension of our work. “. The team applies the recommendations of the project’s ecologists to create landscapes consistent with the site’s environment. Their approach ? ” We take care to plant locally, and are at the forefront of the fight against invasive exotic species, continues Jorge.
Working with nature and the vagaries of the weather
In recent months, the weather has been a real constraint. Rain has hardened the soil, making it more compact and less malleable. But that hasn’t stopped the team. “No matter what the conditions, we keep on doing our job,” says Jorge. “Slopes don’t scare us anymore, but you have to be careful with an excavator on slippery ground,” jokes Delmindo. That’s why the team works in a complementary way, each with their own expertise. “I drive all the motorized equipment,” explains Delmindo, while Jorge and Alberto prefer to work “with handheld equipment.”
The Green Spaces teams come into play once the site’s contours have been finalized. Their role is to carry out the renaturation of the sites: species selection, planting, seeding, maintenance, EVEE control. “We analyze the soil to ensure correct planting and good growth,” explains Delmindo. The team encounters different types of fertile horizon, either the original topsoil from the site, or fertile substrate (a mixture of compost and inert soil). “The fertile substrate is particularly pleasant to use,” says Jorge.
But it’s not just about planting trees. The projects include a variety of natural environments. “We also plant seedlings, such as around the wetlands on the Chelles site. And soon, we’ll be sowing the meadows and limestone lawns of the site.“explains Delmindo. There’s also the upkeep of landscaped and natural areas, taking care of plants without the use of phytosanitary products and mowing late.
A busy season, with some fine achievements
The team is currently working on several projects in the development phase. Recent achievements include the first completed embankments on the Plaisir site (78), the greening of the Parc de Buchelay(78), andParc Jacques Chirac in Chelles (77). Over 10,000 young trees were planted this year. “And the season isn’t over yet,” says Delmindo. Planting will resume in autumn 2025 and winter 2026, with the completion of the project in Plaisir (78) and Boissy-l’Aillerie (95). The team is also working in the Hauts de France region, and has completed the planting of the grass terraces in the Chaussée Brunehaut park in Houdain(62).
A moment of sharing with schools
Every year, almost 500 schoolchildren discover our sites at the end of the development phase for educational planting. During half-days devoted to education in sustainable development, the pupils take ownership of an area that will become part of their living environment. As Alberto points out : “These planting are much more than just technical work. When schools come with us, it’s a real pleasure. We prepare the holes and the children come and plant the trees. We teach them the right gestures and how to make sure each tree takes root. “.
The biggest operation of the new year took place at the Chelles site. Over the course of three days, almost 700 students took part in the planting of woodland in Jacques Chirac Park, helping to create this new natural space. A real challenge, taken up with pleasure by the green spaces team.
