- The Bay of Somme finally became a Regional Natural Park (PNR) on February 13, 2020.
- It is the culmination of a project that has been in the pipeline for 41 years.
- The objective is to give a spotlight on the territory and to release funding to improve its management.
The Baie de Somme finally becomes a Regional Natural Park (PNR). Official recognition for this world famous site. The decision comes from above: the President of the Republic in person, the Amiens Emmanuel Macron, announced, on February 13, at the fourth ecological defense council, the culmination of this project in the pipes for 41 years. A victory for the Baie de Somme - 3 Vallées joint union, which brings together the Hauts-de-France region, the Somme department, and 134 member municipalities.
The progress of the project was long and laborious because "before 2013, there was no supportive and unifying structure that is today the mixed union, explains Patricia Poupart, first vice-president of the Commission Rayonnement des Hauts- of France. Today, the state and people in general are more concerned about the environment, and we are fortunate to have elected officials capable of adopting a strong consensus on this ambition. "
Sustainability of the territory thanks to funding from the region
The Bay of Somme, renowned for its fauna, flora and cultural and built heritage, "will not be put under bell", procrastinates the region. "PNR status will provide better management of flows between the hinterland and the coastline," says Patricia Poupart.
The goal: to put the spotlight on the territory and unlock funding to improve its management. In 2020, Hauts-de-France promises 600,000 euros in investment and, for its part, the Departmental Council will release an envelope of 300,000 euros.
The peculiarity of the Somme bay is also the breeding in wetlands. Patricia Poupart insists: one of the strong intentions of the project is to revalue this activity and to maintain the fragile territories on which this breeding relies.
The Bay of Somme becomes a force of proposals
"The region wishes to highlight the richness of the different landscapes, in particular by erecting the inhabitants as ambassadors for their region," says Patricia Poupart. Concretely, Samarians will be invited to participate in guided tours of villages, public places, but also private sites, in order to inform them about the specifics of their environment.
Educational actions on biodiversity will also be carried out with the school public. "Students can be taken outside to watch birds or bats," said the vice-president. The Baie de Somme will keep its PNR status for at least 15 years.
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The Baie de Somme is the fourth PNR created at the start of 2020, alongside Mont Ventoux, Corbières-Fenouillèdes and part of the Doubs. In total, France has 54 regional natural parks, or 15% of the territory and 4 million inhabitants concerned. By 2022, the government promises to reach 30% of area protected by this status.
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