Sensitive Natural Areas are sites that are remarkable by reason of their biological and landscape diversity; they are developed and managed by the Conseil Général de la Gironde.

They were first created because the Gironde Département wanted to compensate for urban expansion by preserving certain areas, first along the coast then across the whole Département.
Only sites that are remarkable for their environmental heritage and are open to the public (except when the environment is extremely fragile) can be considered as Sensitive Natural Areas.
The Conseil Général's commitment to Sensitive Natural Areas can be summarised in just a few words: purchase, manage, develop and open up these exceptional sites.

How are they purchased?

The Gironde Département is a priority purchaser for some sensitive areas called pre-emption zones as sensitive natural areas (ZPENS). This means that it can use its rights as "priority purchaser" to buy the land in question.
From this moment, the plot(s) become the undisputed property of the Département and are protected from all building projects.

How are they funded?

Purchase of the land, administration, activities, infrastructure, maintenance and supervision are for the most part funded from the Departmental tax for sensitive natural areas (TDENS).
The TDENS is levied on building permits (construction and extensions), and represents an average annual budget of more than 3 million euros.

Who manages them?

The Conseil Général de la Gironde manages all the Sensitive Natural Areas that it owns and some of the sites acquired by the Conservatoire de l'Espace Littoral et des Rivages Lacustres (Coastal and lakeshore conservation body).
It acts in collaboration with this body, also with the local communes and other partners in the field.

The main stages in the process of Conseil Général intervention

Make an inventory then identify
Throughout the year, the Conseil Général de la Gironde monitors those ZPENS which it intends to purchase as and when the opportunity arises and budgets become available.
With this land monitoring strategy the Council is able to gradually build up an incomparable natural heritage portfolio.

Manage then uncover
The relevant departments of the Conseil Général de la Gironde manage the site, in close collaboration with their partners (ONF - Forestry Commission-, Conservatoire du Littoral, local associations, etc.).
They first carry out an inventory of the flora and fauna and produce an ecological report; then define a management plan describing the actions to be undertaken in order to develop the area and ensure public access.
These departments also deal with the administrative work for all classified sites and act as go-between for the different partners working on the Sensitive Natural Areas.
There are also important technical aspects to management. These may include, for instance, all the work required for visits to be possible, hydraulic tests, clearing undergrowth, maintenance, surveillance, etc.

Some figures
The Conseil Général de la Gironde manages 4,376 hectares of Sensitive Natural Areas, of which 1,850 hectares belong to the Conservatoire du littoral and 2,526 hectares to the Département.

• 20 people work on conserving these sites, from the purchasing stage to the moment when the land is developed, including landscaping and maintenance.
• Since 1990, more than 55,000 people have enjoyed guided nature visits to the Sensitive Natural Areas.
• Over 1,200 activities were provided for the public in 2008.
• 4,000 Km of walking trails have been signposted across the Département.
• 600 Km of cycle paths have been created.

Conservatoire Botanique Sud-Atlantique (South-Atlantic botanical conservation body)

This mixed syndicate was created at the 7 September 2006 committee meeting and is located in the "Domaine de Certes". Their purpose is to contribute to the knowledge and conservation of the plant heritage across the Aquitaine and Poitou-Charentes regions.
On behalf of their various partners, e.g. national and local authorities, managers of natural areas, they carry out appraisals in their role as a scientific body.
The data they produce are used to inform decision-making and guide the work of the Département in the area of natural habitats and environments. This information is also useful for teaching, when receiving groups from schools or universities, etc.

For more information, go to their website.

Contact

Direction de l'Environnement et du Tourisme - Bureau du patrimoine naturel - 05 56 99 67 38.