Citizens acting as beavers to restore waterways in southwest France
WaterCommunityConservation
Project Story
The Problem
For decades, agricultural drainage has cut rivers off from their floodplains, creating a domino effect of ecological crises: intensifying droughts, catastrophic floods, and vanishing wildlife across our region.
Our Solution
RESTOR is a community-driven project restoring France's waterways using nature's blueprint—beaver-mimicry techniques. These ingenious low-tech structures work with rivers rather than against them, naturally slowing water flow, raising riverbeds, and reconnecting vital wetlands. The payoff? Recharged groundwater, thriving biodiversity, and stronger community bonds.
Who We Are
Led by Théra in Montaigu-de-Quercy (France) and backed by TBS Education and Toulouse University, RESTOR brings together farmers, residents, water managers, civil servants, and researchers as true partners. In June 2025, we launched France's first fully authorized citizen-led beaver-mimicry project, engaging over 100 participants on the Prézan stream.
Why It Matters
River restoration begins with people. By blending citizen-led ecological restoration with participatory research, RESTOR pioneers innovative governance and co-creates knowledge that tackles climate change while building shared responsibility. Five restoration sites are planned in the next 12 months, backed by growing institutional support. Your contribution funds on-the-ground implementation including pre and post biodiversity surveys to measure impact, directly creating the change our rivers desperately need.