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Loire Nature
Some concrete examples of operations
Conservation of river dynamics through acquisition
The river dynamics of the Allier, in the department which bears its name, are still very active and it has a vast “free area”. However, farmers have been growing crops closer and closer to the river and no longer accept the loss of land due to erosion. Consequently more rock embankments have been installed and the spreading zone has been reduced. The need to conserve this “free area” has led the “Conservatoire des Espaces et des Paysages d’Auvergne”(Auvergne Conservatory of Open space and Landscapes) to launch an acquisition program. It is intended to control the eroding of the banks so that this natural phenomenon can continue to provide a buffer zone between the river and the crops. 170 hectares have so far been acquired along 8 km of river bank. Other similar operations have been implemented in other sectors such as the “Loire Bourlonnaise” with the “Conservatoire des Sites Naturels de Bourgogne” (Burgundy Conservatory of Natural Sites).
Coordinated counting of Ospreys and Bank swallows
A project for a bird observatory has been launched within the context of the Loire Nature scientific mission. With the creation of standardized count protocols within the catchments basin, several coordinated scientific counting operations have already been performed over the entire Loire Basin. The first species to have been the subject of this type of operation was the Osprey. With 250 people involved, this operation covered 961 kms of river and 8 streams in a single day and identified 167 Ospreys. Following the success of this first count, further operations are in progress for the Bank swallow, the European Common bee-eater with the Dipper to follow very soon. These counts, repeated each year, will provide accurate indicators for the evolution of these species and the good ecological condition of the site. The bank swallow and common bee-eater which nest in colonies in sand banks subject to erosion are excellent indicators for river dynamics.
Sologne's ewes help conserve an open environment
The Guilly Meander on the Loire is an area of great biological wealth, notably because of its dry grass meadows and water meadows. Because of the drop in agriculture these evolve naturally into wooded areas. This is why the Centre Region Conservatory is now responsible for the management of over 170 hectares in this area, with the aim of maintaining the open landscapes so typical of the banks of the Loire.
An approach to the Chamber of Agriculture and other agriculture partners has led to the creation of the "Association pour le Pastoralisme dans le Loiret" (Association for Pastoralism in the Loiret. For the past ten years, a flock of more than 300 Solognote ewes (a rustic local breed) have been grazing on the site to slow the growth of brush. Coupled with mechanical brush-cutting by a local rehabilitation association, this operation has gradually extended the area available for grazing. Scientific monitoring of micro-fauna and flora has already shown the positive impact of this method of managing Loire Valley environments.
Agriculture which respects Corncrakes
The low valleys of Anjou at the confluence of several rivers, form a vast flood plain.
This area hosts a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna, with meadows providing the main nesting sites for corncrakes (more than 30% of the national population)
As early as 1990 the Anjou bird protection league approached the agricultural sector to discuss the implementation of measures respecting the environment. The acquisition of nearly 400 hectares also provided the means for trying out new methods of mowing natural meadows in association with farmers: late mowing, refuge strips, etc. … are being studied to prevent the destruction of nesting sites.
Finally, in 2002, this patient work with farmers was consolidated with the creation of a trademark ("L'Eleveur et l'Oiseau" – the Farmer and the Bird) with the intention of boosting the market for local beef, from cattle raised on the site.
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Loire Nature coordination Fédération des conservatoires d’espaces naturels Anne LOMBARDI 6, rue Jeanne d'Arc 45 000 Orléans Phone : +33 (0)2 38 24 55 00 Fax: +33) (0)2 38 24 55 01 anne.lombardi@enf-conservatoires.org
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Scientific mission Fédération des conservatoires d’espaces naturels Aurélie VANDEN-EEDE 6, rue Jeanne d'Arc 45 000 Orléans Phone : +33 (0)2 38 24 55 00 Fax:+33 (0)2 38 24 55 01 aurelie.vanden-eede@enf-conservatoires.org
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Education and tourism mission > LPO Auvergne Stéphanie BESSE 2 bis, rue du Clos Perret 63100 Clermont-Ferrand Phone : +33 (0)4 73 36 39 79 lpo-auvergne-loirenature@wanadoo.fr
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Etablissement public Loire Renaud COLIN 3 avenue Claude Guillemin BP 6125 45061 Orléans cedex 2 Phone : +33 (0)2 38 64 38 38 Fax:+33 (0)2 38 64 35 35 |
Program realised by: Communication mission WWF Daisy TARRIER 188 rue de la Roquette 75011 PARIS Phone : +33 (0)1 55 25 84 84 Fax:+33 (0)1 55 25 84 74 |
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Local association operators Conservatoire départemental des sites lozériens, Conservatoire des espaces et paysages d'Auvergne in association with the Conservatoire des sites de l'Allier, Conservatoire des espaces naturels du Limousin, Conservatoire des sites naturels Bourguignons, Conservatoire du patrimoine naturel de la Région Centre,Conservatoire Rhône-Alpes des espaces naturels, Frapna Loire (Fédération Rhône-Alpes de protection de la nature), Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux et ses délégations en Anjou, Auvergne, Loire, Loire-Atlantique,Touraine et Vienne, WWF-France.
With the financial backing of regional environmental departments, the Loire-Bretagne Water Board, the Establishment public Loire, the Regions, Departments and other authorities in the Loire basin.
With financial support:
2005 - Design and graphic creation : : “Trait de Plume” - Printed by: Rochat - Photographic rights: S.Rogue, P. Mossant, D. Tarrier, C. & B. Desjeux, C.Bouchardy, J-C.Laigle, N.Dupieux, A.Ulmer/FRAPNA, C.Aussaguel andC.Guihard/LPO, WWF, G.Labidoire/CREN Limousin, R.Riols/LPO Auvergne, A. Rapeau, I.Gravrand and K. Brossolasco/CPNRC, H.Carmié/CSP, P.Cousin/LPO Vienne. Illustration: F.Claveau/Authentic.
Successful cooperation concerning water resources
Intensive farming in the Loire Basin (in particular the development of irrigated maize) is a source of diffuse water pollution. Water management organisations therefore want to install new wells in sections with good quality water. At the same time, environmental conservation associations are helping to eliminate this pollution by creating buffer zones. and by the preservation of natural meadows. This double objective of conserving the environment and protecting water quality, has led to the creation of several partnerships.
In the Loire, the SIVOM (regional development organisation) Sologne
Bourbonaise, a water supplier, has co-financed the purchase of land with the “Conservatoire de Bourgogne” in return for providing access to the immediate catchments zone.
In the Allier, Clermont Ferrand Town Hall has appointed the “Conservatoire d’Auvergne” to manage a site covering the entire catchments zone, to develop operations combining water protection and environmental conservation.
An educational pack for nursery school children
Within the terms of the Loire Nature information-education mission, an educational pack has been developed for nursery schools. This was proposed after inventory of events and educational material about nature in the Loire basin revealed the lack of material for children under six.
After discussions with organisations responsible for environmental education in the region, a multidisciplinary team of fifteen people, including school inspectors, teachers, instructors and presenters in charge of environmental and scientific education, was set up to develop this educational pack on the theme of water and the river.
9 themes are covered (the water cycle, plant life, animals, the living river…). It consists of a first part for teachers with an information sheet on theory and ideas for various activities, and a second part designed for the children including practical activities (drawing, following trails, etc.). The pack also includes a CD with natural and domestic sounds to discover.
Loire Nature: A river restoration flagship program for Europe
Summary of basin characteristics of the river Loire and its tributaries
• The Loire is longest river in France, 1010 kms long.
• The total hydrographical network extends to more than 135 000 km.
• The Loire basin extends over 110 000 km2, a fifth of the total area of France: 9 regions, 30 departments and 5600 towns and villages.
• The Loire basin has more than 11.5 million inhabitants but is markedly rural in character.
• Main tributaries: the Allier, Cher, Indre, Vienne, Auroux, Loir, Sarthe, Mayenne and Maine.
• The Loire supports a number of rare and protected species of both plants and animals, and provides important breeding, feeding and resting habitats for many migratory birds and fishes. Rare biodiversity: 103 heritage plant species and 107 nationally protected animal species.
• Under the Natura 2000 network there are 201 sites of Community importance and 15 special protection areas.
• Its scenery is famous throughout Europe and visited by thousands of people.
The wet lands must be protected
The right pasturing allows the restoration of meadows and river fields. to maintain the supply of the ground waters and the production of drinkable water
50 areas along the Loire, the Allier and their tributaries have been chosen for their great ecological value. They include wetlands at the head of the basin as well as deep mid- or downstream valleys, to ensure complementarity and a wide diversity of approach.
Loire river basin
Loire Nature (phase 1): a "free area" for the Loire and the Allier
4.1.1994 : the “Plan Loire Grandeur Nature” A positive change in situation! During the 1980s, the French authorities launched a program to build four large dams, to combat the risk of flooding and develop agricultural irrigation in the Loire basin. Since then, associations have worked together through “Loire Vivante” (Living Loire) association run by France Nature Environnement and WWF-France. This brought together a number of non-governmental organizations dedicated to maintaining the Loire’s status as a “wild river”. The association's objectives are to promote conservation of the Loire and find alternatives to dam building as well as organising sustainable management of the river.
On January 4th 1994 the French government launched the “Plan Loire Grandeur Nature”, which is based on the principle of total management of the Loire and meets requirements for protecting people and property, economic development and ecological conservation. On July 23 rd 1999, this plan was defined in contracts drawn up between the region and the State and is now known as the “Programme Interrégional Loire Grandeur Nature 2000-2006”.
1993/1998 financial backing from the Ministry of the environment and the E.U. (LIFE). The Gorges of the Loire Between 1993 and 1998, this program included an experimental phase, which could then be duplicated on a larger scale. It consolidated the idea of “free area”, the zone where a river naturally flows. In 1998, Loire Nature began three more operations in the Forez Ecozone in the Loire, the low Angevin valleys and the Loire Estuary. A total of 2056 hectares has now been durably conserved.
Apart from land control, one of the main concerns of this first phase of Loire Nature was to facilitate dialogue between associations and institutions. This fruitful partnership between regions, departments, towns and external State departments, Water boards and associations has continued ever since. This phase of the program was also used to increase the number of innovative operations with farmers, particularly the management of 1 015 hectares of meadow land on the banks of the Loire.
In 1993, the “Fédération des Conservatoires des Initial achievements Espaces naturels” and WWF, wishing to include Loire Nature put forward a program of concrete measures to protect the river's "free area"
•An action plan involving 12 sites on the Loire and the Allier
Source area
•8 non governmental associations and conservation organizations
•Around 8 million Euros invested
•Conservation of 19 natural habitats listed in the
European “Habitat” Directive hosting more than 89 remarkable species
•Acquisition of 30 km of riverbank subject to strong river flow dynamics2
• Creation of 2 natural reserves and rehabilitation of 2 gravel quarries The Loire and its
•Work with local job creation and employment organizations for eco-maintenance work.
1. a six year contract defining actions undertaken by the State and one region for joint land-use management and regional development.
2."River dynamics" includes alternating flooding and low water in an ecologically healthy river, leading to constant renewal of the river environment. This is the driving force of biodiversity best illustrated in the "free area“
The river dynamics is the origin of an original landscape
Several educational trails have attracted thousands of local residents who have resumed active relations with their river as a result.
2002-2006
Loire Nature: for sustainable management of the Loire and its tributaries
Following the success of the first phase of Loire Nature, Loire NGO’s and institutions wished to extend the program and include it in the restoration of natural habitat section of the Programme Interrégional Loire Grandeur nature.
The bed lowering has disturbed the former branches which are extremely rich Eco-systems
The second phase of Loire Nature is twice as ambitious as the first and extends to other tributary and source zones.
The program's main objective is to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of the Loire Valley ecosystems (peat lands, gorges, alluvial forests, and ancient tributaries…) to maintain their various ecological functions.
Three main themes have been defined: conservation of biodiversity, river
dynamics and water resources.
The budget of about 15 million Euros is financed by the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development (and its regional departments for the Loire basin), the Loire Brittany Water Board, a public institution that formerly promoted large dams (The "Etablissement Public Loire”) and the local authorities of eight regions in the Loire Basin Loire Nature is one of the most important river protection programs ever undertaken in Europe. It is based on a close partnership between 3 institutions and 17 NGOs: land trusts (Conservatoires d’espaces naturels), birdlife organizations (LPO), classical conservation organizations (FRAPNA) and WWF.
One goal of the program is to match agriculture and ecology in the river zones
The other is a protected species in France to be found on the upstream basin
Loire nature is one of the most important programs of river conservation ever engaged in Europe up to now.
Concrete operations performed in 50 intervention zones
The program is based on the acquisition or leasing of about 4500 hectares in fifty zones managed in partnership with local farmers. These operations concern the production of inventories and scientific studies, organisation of restoration and environment management schemes and the development of mowing and pasturing practices designed to conserve the different functions of these environments in a sustainable fashion. They are intended to promote sustainable conservation of habitats and species in line with water resource management and the maintenance of flood zones; they have been turned into places visited by 60000 visitors each year
The different sites are also designed to receive the public.
Thematic operations have also been included in the program to reinforce local operations and ensure coherence between Loire Nature, the other sections of the
“Programme Interrégional Loire Grandeur Nature” and other public policies. These
operations include general program coordination and four other missions: a scientific mission, with the development of management tools and knowledge sharing, communication, educational aspects and promotion of ecotourism.