Sensitive natural areas, Villenave d’Ornon mobilizes

Villenave d’Ornon has a natural and historical heritage in the heart of the White Water Valley. The preservation of these spaces is therefore essential for the city, especially since they are recognized as sensitive natural spaces. Since 2006, the city has applied to manage and maintain the valley. It now owns nearly 80 hectares that it preserves on a daily basis. The city also wants to highlight these natural spaces through discovery and information. Indeed, paths allow as many people to discover the history of this natural heritage.

New Aquitaine is doing all it can to preserve the natural spaces that take a large place in the region. It also means valuing these spaces and thus a collective awareness of the fragility of biodiversity.

The White Water Valley, a natural heritage valued by Villenave d’Ornon

The White Water Valley is an integral part of the history of Villenave d’Ornon. For this reason, the city applied in 2006 to recover the maintenance and preservation of the sensitive natural areas (SSEs) of the White Water Valley. The town now manages about 80 hectares to the south-east of the municipality. To protect the flora and fauna of these areas, municipal services practice grazing by sheep and late mowing. Without this maintenance, species and biodiversity are at risk in these sensitive natural areas. The White Water Valley is an important historical heritage for Villenave d’Ornon. Moreover, it is also a reservoir of biodiversity, both valuable and highly sensitive.

Villenave d'Ornon natural environment
The preservation of sensitive natural spaces, a challenge for the city of Villenave d’Ornon.

To enhance these sensitive natural spaces, Villenave d’Ornon has implemented several actions. Indeed, the city organizes several “sustainable meetings” during the year. Thus, free and for the whole family are set up, supervised by the League of Protection of Birds (LPO) and by Earth and Ocean.

This aims to make these areas of the White Water Valley known to as many people as possible and thus raise awareness of biodiversity. Indeed, the emphasis on these spaces is essential to understand the importance of preserving biodiversity. Thus, several paths allow visitors to guide their walk, to discover these sensitive natural spaces. These paths bring visitors into the heart of the site’s flora and fauna. The history of these spaces is also traced through explanatory panels. The Cressonnière Road is accessible for people with reduced mobility and the signs are available in Braille.

The preservation of natural spaces, a challenge for the New Aquitaine region

The New Aquitaine region has a wide variety of natural spaces due to its size. The fauna and flora develop in good conditions thanks in particular to the varied climatic conditions on the territory. There are a large number ofagricultural, mountainous and forested areas.

Nevertheless, as everywhere else, these natural spaces are put at risk mainly byhuman activity. Air, water and soil pollution are making significant changes to natural habitats. This is why the New Aquitaine region has put in place a proactive policy to protect and preserve these spaces in the long term. For example, the Conservatory of Natural Spaces in New Aquitaine aims to preserve the region’s landscapes and natural spaces. Guided by scientific advice, the Conservatory manages spaces in the best way possible. The aim is to bring environmental issues into the economic fabric and to unite the players. Because of its knowledge of spaces, the Conservatory protects and values sensitive places.

Valuation is an essential aspect of the preservation process. This makes it possible to raise awareness on a large scale among residents, but also for businesses and communities. This then allows for the implementation of environmental public policies and thus changes the behaviour of each individual. All the players are mobilizing in the preservation of the natural spaces of the region. Individuals, businesses, farmers, local authorities, teachers and students can all act on their own scale and actively participate in the preservation of New Aquitaine’s biodiversity.

Sources:

Discovering the biodiversity of the White Water Valley,Villenave d’Ornon, press release of March 1, 2021

Taking action for the protection and conservation of natural spaces,The New Aquitaine Region, May 7, 2020

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