“Nature is the basis of our well-being, of our identity”: Aude’s new strategy for biodiversity, 2030 objective

“This biodiversity is a real asset, an element of protection of populations, a source of adaptation to global warming”. At the end of the session of the Aude departmental council, Thursday December 19, the deputy vice-president for ecological transition, Francis Morlon, presented the new strategy for biodiversity for the next five years. After being adopted by elected officials, it will be launched from this year.

“The essential role of the department”

For about a quarter of an hour, the ecologist presented the beginnings of a new plan to preserve biodiversity in the territory. He first mentioned “the essential role of the department”, defending “Aude as the leading French department in terms of biodiversity for the fauna, flora and natural habitats present”. Indeed, of the 6,000 plant species present in mainland France, nearly 4,300, or more than 50%, have been recorded in Aude. Regarding fauna, 361 species of birds, 79 species of mammals, including 27 of bats, 27 species of reptiles, and 16 species of amphibians have been observed in the department. Aude is the richest department for nesting birds with more than 200 species present.

Four axes and nine strategic orientations

This document was therefore put to a vote during the meeting. Francis Morlon presented the four axes drawn up over the next five years, until 2030: “Preserve and restore natural spaces; manage departmental natural heritage and consolidate related land; reconcile economic practices and development with preservation biodiversity; promote awareness and education about nature and biodiversity. So much for the objectives set by the community. Consultations – with local stakeholders, farmers, residents and socio-economics – had also begun during 2023. Francis Morlon had the task of reviewing this orientation. “There was already a first strategy in 2012. Since then, the world has changed a lot,” he confides.

“Much more than just a decor”

In this strategy, the Department wanted to add new features: “A desire for actions extended to the entire department; recognition of the strong link with economic and land-use planning activities; taking into account the challenges brought about by climate change, therefore the joint responsibility for the success of the low carbon strategy undertaken by the community;

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“Discover our nature”

In the words of Francis Morlon, the president of the departmental council, Hélène Sandragné, added: “We have succeeded in laying the foundations of a collective and proactive dynamic to protect and sustainably manage our natural heritage. We affirm once again, and certainly more than yesterday, that this nature is much more than a simple decoration: it is the basis of our well-being, our economy and our identity.
In addition, the community wishes to rely on the two regional natural parks (PNR) of Aude to carry out its strategy.