Preparation of the Nature Circuit
Sublimating commitment no. 3 of the PROTECTOR (Ecological and Environmental Transition Program of the University of Reunion Island) of the Eco-Campus mission, on the greening and biodiversity axis, is the challenge that Fac has taken on. Sciences in Transition!
A major project
The challenge is major: carry out the aesthetic and educational installation of four Reunion themes (Geology, Botany, History and Agriculture) over the 900 meters long of the future NATURE Circuit before Saturday June 20, 2026, the day of its inauguration!
With the support of CVEC Crous funding (Contribution de Vie Etudiante et de Campus), efforts were focused on 3 consecutive Saturdays (from Saturday March 9 to 23, 2024) on theme 1, the geological theme, with 8 people present: Aurélie DE BERNADY DE SIGOYER, Shalini CATAPOULE and Emeline MAYEN, students in L1 Earth Sciences, Louis CADET, student in dual degree Life Sciences and Earth Sciences, Thibaut THIERRY, student in L2 Earth Sciences , Anthony BLUKER, student in L3 Prépa Talents at the UFR Law and Economy, Rachel GUSSET, associate researcher at the GéoSciences Réunion Laboratory and Anthony FINIZOLA, Lecturer at the GéoSciences Réunion Laboratory.
Together, over 3 Saturdays, they were able to move, not mountains…, but still, 12 m³ of rocks, or a total of 40 tons of red scoria and gray basalt gravel, to model the surface constituting the Cactus-Espace-Temps educational garden, located between wings A and B of building S1, of the UFR Sciences and Technologies. The educational concept of this geological space is the explanation of Reunion Island in 10 rocks. The botanical aspect has not been ruled out, however!
In the centre of this mineral space, green islands appear ( Kīpukas) as can be observed in the Grand Brûlé, when the lava flows of the Piton de la Fournaise isolate the vegetation. But, for more explanations, you will have to wait patiently for the opening to the public of the NATURE Circuit, on Saturday June 20, 2026 at 14:00 p.m. ... mark your calendars!
description of the image
The image is a map of an event entitled “Circuit NATURE La Réunion… au fil du temps”, which will be inaugurated on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 14 p.m., open to the general public. The event is organized by the University of La Réunion as part of the “PROTECTEUR” program, which is an ecological and environmental transition program.
The map is oriented with a compass rose pointing north at the top. It shows a plan of the Moufia campus with several buildings and green spaces, as well as colored paths representing different thematic circuits.
Geology (blue circuit):
- Theme: “Rocks for an island”
- General information: “Time, 3 million years”; “Space: in 10 rocks”
- Location: Cactus-Space-Time (CET)
Botany (green circuit):
- Theme: “Plants on an island”
- General information: “Arboretum Thérésien Cadet”; “Plants to save”
- Location: Arboretum Thérésien Cadet (ATC)
History (orange circuit):
- Theme: “Men on an island”
- General information: Reunion Island through the maps
- Location: BU Sciences (BU-S)
Agriculture (in red):
- Theme: “Plants and men”
- General information: “Watermelon and sweet coffee”; “Recycling – short circuit”
- Location: University Restaurant (CROUS)
Main buildings marked on the map include:
- Faculty of Sciences (S1)
- Charpak Amphitheater
- BU Sciences (BU-S)
- Letter faculty
- Canter Theatre
- University Restaurant (CROUS)
The colored paths on the map indicate the circuits to follow for each theme, with marked starting and finishing points. The image also contains logos and illustrations for each theme, as well as logos of the University of Reunion, the association “Sur les traces de Thérésien Cadet”, the CROUS Réunion Mayotte and the UFR Sciences et technologies (accompanied by the slogan “Fac des sciences en transition!”).
The meeting point for the start of the trails is located below the university restaurant, in front of the Charpak amphitheater, here is a more precise description of the colored trails on the map:
Blue Path (Geology):
The blue path begins at the Cactus-Space-Time (CET) and follows a route that crosses several buildings and open spaces. It is represented by a continuous blue line, indicating a circuit to follow to explore the geological theme.
Green Path (Botanical):
This path begins near the Arboretum Thérésien Cadet (ATC) and winds through the green spaces indicated on the map. It is represented by a dotted green line that passes through several wooded areas, emphasizing the botanical theme of the event.
Orange Path (History):
This path begins at the BU Sciences (BU-S) and is represented by a continuous orange line. It crosses part of the campus, connecting different points of interest related to the historical theme.
Red Path (Agriculture):
The red path starts at the University Restaurant (CROUS) and is represented by a continuous red line. It follows a route that highlights the agricultural aspects of the event, including recycling and short circuits.
Each path is clearly marked on the map to guide participants through the different themes and points of interest of the event.