Alongside 7 communities of municipalities and agglomerations*, Niort Agglo is involved in the European LIFE Maraisilience project led by the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park. An action program intended to strengthen the resilience of the 2nd largest wetland in France in the face of climate change.
Strong in its commitments to the ecological transition, Niort Agglo contributes locally to the adaptation of the Marais Poitevin to face the risks to which the natural park is now increasingly exposed such as flooding, marine submersion, or even erosion of ribs. This December 17, the day of the official launch of the LIFE Maraisilience project for 4 years in Ferrières (17), the agglomeration thus reaffirms its commitment to making the Marais Poitevin a pioneering territory in terms of resilience. By collaborating with all local stakeholders, it wishes to mobilize residents and support professionals in implementing concrete actions. She herself works on the de-waterproofing of soils and the adaptation of urban neighborhoods, the planting of trees to create natural islands of freshness, the development of a bicycle plan on the scale of the agglomeration for promotion soft mobility. It also supports farms in their transition to more resilient practices.
Séverine Vachon, vice-president of the Niortais urban community in charge of ecological transition, explains « The LIFE Maraisilience project is a fantastic opportunity to take action. It also allows us to enrich our Air Energy Climate Plan launched in 2020. Thanks to this partnership, we can experiment with solutions to preserve our territory, while mobilizing all stakeholders and supporting the necessary transitions. Our financial commitment to this European program amounts to €174,188.51. This investment will make it possible to implement innovative actions adapted to local realities. In addition, metropolitan cooperation is essential to meet the challenges of climate change which concern all territories, at all levels. »
Tools shared with local stakeholders
As part of the LIFE Maraisilience project, Niort Agglo is contributing to the creation of a digital platform to collect and share local climate data. This climate observatory will provide a better understanding of the ecological and economic dynamics linked to climate and will be an essential tool to support decision-making at the territorial level. The agglomeration will also play an active role in the organization of the Climate Agora, a space for dialogue open to residents and local stakeholders to discuss and formulate concrete solutions for the future of the Marais Poitevin. Finally, it will pilot operational actions dedicated to carbon sequestration. Each territory therefore has its place and a central role to play in taking action and preserving our environment.
*Communities of Communes Aunis Atlantique, Sud Vendée Littoral, Pays de Fontenay Vendée and Vendée Grand Littoral, the La Rochelle agglomeration community, the Mixed Syndicate of the Sèvre Niortaise Watershed and La Rochelle University
