Ethnobotanical collection

Citizen garden

Introduction

Activity Topic

Cultural heritage

Organisation

Conservatoire des Légumes Anciens du Béarn

Legal Status

NGO

Year of Establishment

2013

Location

3bis route du Bois 64510 Assat

The aim of the association is to promote the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems through training and the conservation of intangible cultural heritage in a conservatory orchard garden.
Its main tasks are:

The cultivation of old or “forgotten” varieties;
Preserving biodiversity in terms of flora and fauna;
Raising public awareness of the need to protect the environment;
Conserving intangible cultural heritage (ICH) by setting up and developing an ethnobotanical centre;
Collecting plants.

The association has set up a Conservatory Orchard Garden, open to the public, which serves as a support for :

Professional and social reintegration courses in conjunction with partner organisations;
Setting up educational workshops, training for the general public and running workshops for young people and schoolchildren;
The application of cultivation methods based on the ecological transition;
Organising festive, fun and educational events

Activity Description

Aims and Outcomes

The CLAB brings together two intrinsically linked conservatories on the same site:

A conservatory of local vegetables, hardy fruit trees, perennials, medicinal plants herbs,
A conservatory of local intangible cultural heritage, more commonly known as an ethnobotanical centre.

When people talk about protection and conservation, the focus is often on preserving nature: plants, animals and biotopes. However, one crucial element is often overlooked: the traditional knowledge that accompanies this biodiversity. This knowledge, the fruit of many generations observation and empirical experience, is just as precious and vulnerable. It is imperative to recognise and preserve this intangible heritage alongside nature conservation.

Given the importance of this knowledge to humanity, the CLAB has set itself the goal of collecting everything that could be collected from the ancients, before it disappears when the holders of this knowledge will die.

A focus group has been set up to define the activity within the structure and its implementation. To set up the group, a call for volunteers was launched.

A moral charter defined the conduct of collectors. It was written by the members of the think tank. It also contained a procedure to be followed by each collector: the means used (recording, writing) and respect for image rights (videos, photos) were specified. The use made of the data collected was also noted and explained to the people met. (booklet, report, etc.).
Contact with the owners was not made by chance, but by careful local research and word of mouth. Sometimes two or three visits were necessary before starting to collect: getting to know them, building trust and explaining the collecting process itself are fundamental.

The collections were then made available to the general public in the Conservatory Orchard Garden. Information sheets, sound terminals and even a 12′ film show past collections.

The visitors and volunteers who come to the Conservatory orchard garden are sensitive to these conservation efforts and appreciate the approach. They see plants in a different light, just as their ancestors did.

Advantages and Benefits

Collecting traditional and ancestral plant-related knowledge has a number of advantages and benefits, from a cultural, social and ecological point of view. Here are some of the main aspects:

Collecting knowledge helps to preserve and pass on ancient knowledge that is often associated with cultural practices, rituals and the history of communities. This knowledge gives future generations a better understanding of their heritage.
The traditional knowledge collected is in harmony with nature. For example, agricultural techniques, resource management methods and ecosystem conservation practices can offer solutions to contemporary ecological challenges, such as water management, biodiversity and the fight against deforestation.
Much of this knowledge includes the use of medicinal plants, sustainable construction and environmentally-friendly land management.
Collecting ancestral knowledge fosters solidarity within communities. It involves different players, from elders to young people, and creates an intergenerational link.
Documenting forgotten knowledge: collecting information helps to preserve knowledge that is in danger of disappearing as ancient practices are abandoned in favour of modern methods.
Preserving and promoting ancestral knowledge contributes to the emergence of cultural tourism, based on authenticity and the discovery of traditional practices (crafts, cooking, ceremonies, etc.).

Required Competences and Skills

It is essential to understand the cultural, social and historical particularities of the communities whose knowledge is being collected. This makes it possible to establish a relationship of trust and respect for local traditions and values. Knowing how to listen and understand the point of view of members of the community is essential. By listening carefully, you can gather more detailed information and build a relationship of trust with witnesses. Mastering data collection techniques such as interviews, field observations and surveys. This includes the ability to ask open-ended questions, encourage narratives and document knowledge rigorously. It is important to know how to manage the rights associated with the knowledge collected, in particular the intellectual property rights of communities. For example, some cultures consider that their traditional knowledge is part of their common heritage and not that of an individual. For the collection and preservation of traditional knowledge, the use of digital tools (audio/video recordings, databases, online archives) is also essential. Knowing how to use these tools to document and archive information is a key skill.

Evaluation

The evaluation of plant history collection with an ethnobotanical approach can be assessed through both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Quantitatively, the number of people met reflects the depth of community engagement and the diversity of perspectives gathered. Conversations with elders, healers, herbalists, and local experts enrich the collection with traditional knowledge and historical narratives about plant use. The number of collections carried out over a specific period also indicates the consistency of the research, revealing seasonal patterns in plant availability and usage. Qualitatively, the rarity of the collected stories and plant-related knowledge determines their significance. Narratives about plants that are rarely used or remembered highlight endangered cultural practices and ecological changes. The uniqueness of these accounts, especially when tied to specific rituals, medicinal practices, or forgotten traditions, adds depth to the collection. Sharing these stories within the community also ensures that traditional knowledge is preserved and revitalized. The impact of the collection is indeed measured by its ability to reconnect people with their botanical heritage and strengthen local identity.

Conclusions

In short, the collection of traditional and ancestral knowledge represents a major asset for humanity, both in terms of preserving cultural identities and promoting sustainable and equitable management of our planet. It opens the way to a future that is more respectful of ancient practices and of the communities that are the bearers of this knowledge.

Advice / Recommendation

Collecting traditional knowledge is a delicate task that requires respect, empathy and a rigorous methodology. You need both interpersonal skills and know-how if you want to collect it successfully.