The First Nature-Based Intervention Reference Center (NBIRC) in France
A new project opening a chapter for mental health, territories, and the role of nature in our societies.
On November 25, 2025, a major step was reached in Sainte-Ménehould (France) with the creation of the first reference center dedicated to nature-based interventions. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Élan Argonnais Association, the Marne Public Mental Health Establishment (EPSM de la Marne), and UNature.
This center will pave the way for hundreds of professionals in health, social care, and the medico-social sector—as well as public and private stakeholders across the region—who seek to integrate scientific research on the impact of nature exposure into their prevention and support practices.
At the heart of the Argonne—whose Celtic name Ar Gonn means “land of forests”—this center will become a leading hub in France and across Europe, bringing together:
Innovative training programs, co-developed with local partners and grounded in the expertise we have been building since 2018.
A structured scientific research dynamic, conducted jointly with EPSM to rigorously measure the effects of nature exposure on mental health and support the evolution of professional practices.
A strong territorial anchoring, serving an ambition that extends beyond the Argonne to reach national and European levels.
We would like to thank the partners engaged in this collective initiative.
From left to right in the photo:
François Ihuel, Public Health Physician (EPSM)
Jean-Rémy Martin, PhD in Cognitive Science and Philosophy (EPSM)
Hubert Mansion, Founder and Chairman of the Scientific Committee of UNature
Martial Vuillaume, Deputy General Director (Élan Argonnais)
Valérie Boisgelot, Executive Director (UNature France)
Alex Bastien, Head of Service (Élan Argonnais)