Local Authorities

Natureparif

Story featured in the Made in Countdown 2010 publication

Action

Natureparif was the first agency which exclusively dealt with biodiversity conservation at the regional level to join Countdown 2010. The agency is part of the Ecoregion project launched by the Regional Council of Ile-de-France. It gathers local governments, nature associations, enterprises, researchers, the State and the Regional Council, and fosters dialogue between them in order to integrate biodiversity into public and private sectors.

The agency has established a regional biodiversity observatory, compiled all the existing information and expertise on the topic, and created tools to preserve biodiversity in the region. To raise awareness of Countdown 2010, Natureparif has organised two conferences and worked actively disseminating information on the state of biodiversity in the region and the need to save it. It has also launched the “French Capital of Biodiversity” competition which is part of the “European Capitals of Biodiversity” developed in cooperation with IUCN. The competition rewards European cities for innovation and excellence in preserving the wealth of nature.

Before The French Government signed the Countdown 2010 Declaration in Barcelona at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2008. Many people in France were not aware of the goals and commitments of the Government. Local authorities were not aware of the potential action they could do in the field or even of the biodiversity crisis. Action at the regional level was required.

Now Natureparif involves 100 members in the Region of Ile-de-France and has gathered 1,900 studies on biodiversity at the regional level. The agency has engaged about 50 French municipalities in joining the Countdown 2010 network and committing to help halt the loss of biodiversity. For its efforts, Natureparif won the 2010 Activity Award at the Countdown 2010 Partners’ Assembly in 2009.

• Natureparif
• www.natureparif.fr

Photo: A frog in the Region of Ile-de-France © Ophelie Alloitteau