Caring for the Environment

Lerab Ling is situated on the edge of the Natura 2000 protected area of the “Causse du Larzac” and the Forêt Domaniale De L’Escandorgue, a region renowned for its rare and fragile species and diverse habitats. This area is celebrated for its ecological richness, including the esteemed Medio-European limestone beech forest and a vibrant array of flora and bird species.

At Lerab Ling, we are committed to protecting our beautiful environment and addressing climate change. We take a range of measures to minimise our environmental impact and nurture our surroundings:

• Reducing Our Carbon Footprint: Our community living approach includes a central kitchen and laundry, site-wide central wood chip heating system, shared cars, common areas, and compact living spaces. We regularly review our energy consumption to ensure efficiency.
• Sustainable Heating: We use a central wood chip heating system powered by local, renewable resources to provide warmth and hot water for all our buildings.
• Eco-Friendly Practices: Our buildings are constructed with green technology and eco-friendly materials. We also use eco-label cleaning products, organic compost in our gardens, and maintain a comprehensive recycling and composting system.
• Forest Management: We actively manage our forest in collaboration with local experts to maintain its health and vibrancy.
• Protecting Biodiversity: In 2019, Lerab Ling became the 500th Bird Reserve of the League for Bird Protection in Hérault. We support local bird species by prohibiting hunting on our land, creating natural shelters, and managing green spaces ecologically—such as leaving dead wood for insects and avoiding pesticides.
• In 2024 and 2023 Lerab Ling hosted forums on Buddhism and the environment entitled ‘Wisdom Working for the Earth’ bringing together Buddhist traditions and environmental movements to join forces, share expertise and practices, and support each other in protecting the health of this earth. 

Through these efforts, we strive to safeguard the natural beauty and ecological health of our unique location and contribute to a sustainable environment.