The 5 national nature reserves located in alpine mountain ranges of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges form a group of exceptional natural habitats of 156.15km². From mountain forests to glaciars and snowy summits, those reserves are home to more than 800 species, whom a lot are protected in France and Europe.
We are very proud to integrate IUCN Green list with our mountain natural reserves. The certification process was a rewarding experience that put our practices into perspectives and improvement.
Conservation
Good governance
Community benefits
We are glad that efficient management and good state of conservation of 7 new French sites have been recognized by the Green List Program! I have no doubt they will constitute inspirational sources and new references for future applicants. Diversity and richness of habitats, species, governance systems and protection status of French Continental and Overseas territories are now well represented by those 22 Greenlisted sites. They will very soon be engaged in the creation of the Francophone Green List network and globally contribute to the international influence of the Green List.
The Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges reserves application is a multisite application gathering the Vallon de Bérard, Passy, Sixt-Passy, Aiguilles-Rouges and Carlaveyron National Nature Reserves. Those five nature reserves located in the Alpin massifs of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges form a set of exceptional natural environments of 156,15 km². From mountain forests to glaciers and snow-capped peaks, these reserves are home to more than 800 species, many of which are protected in France and Europe.
This ecological richness combines a historical human occupation and a diversity of activities. Municipalities, alpine pastures managers, hydroelectric operators, shelter keepers, foresters, hunters, hikers, mountaineers are all actors of this territory.
An operation « Grand Site de France » is being applied on Sixt-Fer-A-Cheval, attesting to the immense
attractiveness of this territory.
The 5 Naure Reserves of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges are :
1) RN Sixt-Passy
2) RN Passy
3) RN Carlaveyron
4) RN Aiguilles Rouges
5) RN Vallon de Bérard
Outcome of EAGL Vote on Site
Consensus
EAGL Summary
Pillar 1: Fair Governance The Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels de Haute-Savoie (ASTERS), manager of those 6 National Natures Reserves is responsible for the organisation of the 4 advisory committees, gathering multiple stakeholders (3 reserves among the Aiguilles Rouges Massif have one common advisory committee: Aiguilles Rouges, Carlaveyron and Vallon de Bérard). ASTERS is an association established for more than 40 years in the region; therefore, local officials, socio-professionals and various users of the sites know their representative well. The Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval-Passy National Nature Reserve had been undergoing a process of declassification and reclassification of the National Nature Reserve status for almost 20 years. The new ministerial decree was signed in January 2020 and this procedure is now finalized. This work was the subject of a public inquiry, so the consultation process was largely carried out and contributed to the easing of previously persistent tensions. The EAGL considers that the National Nature Reserve of the Contamines-Montjoie and the 5 National Nature Reserves of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges have achieved all the standards of Pillar 1 of the Green List.
Pillar 2: Robust Planning A management plan exists for each of the 6 nature reserves (sometimes long-standing as for Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval-Passy, which has had one since at least 2001). The overlaying of protective devices and the coordination of management objectives (Natural Reserve Management Plan and DOCOB Natura 2000) ensure reasoned, planned and effective management of these sites. Reading the management plans and planning documents or objectives provided by the nature reserves manager shows that what is considered regulatory, socio-cultural and support services are taken into account. Future management plans will therefore be discussed to incorporate the normative framework to address the issues in this area. The manager is also involved in a Eueropean Interreg Alpine Space Alpbionet 2030 project, bringing together 6 Alpine countries and focusing specifically on international cooperation efforts to achieve a level of ecological connectivity. Finally, the manager is fully informed of the threats to the 6 sites concerned and is actively working with the Scientific Council to continue the scientific investigation work necessary to effectively manage threats, pressures and influencing factors. The procedure for declassification/reclassification of the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval-Passy reserve, for example, had the effect of better identifying alertness points and improving planning and management actions. The EAGL considers that the National Nature Reserve of the Contamines-Montjoie and the 5 National Nature Reserves of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges have achieved all the standards of Pillar 2 of the Green List.
Pillar 3: Effective Management Threats to the main values of the sites are well managed and adequate responses in connection with the stakeholders of the territory are provided. Threats related to global change are identified, in fact, ASTERS is positioned on all regional climate change observation and monitoring networks and is a pioneer in this area. Work is underway to integrate their treatment more systemically into nature reserve management documents. The management association has the human, technical, financial and infrastructure resources adapted to the implementation of the actions provided by the management plans. The local anchorage is observable as such by the provision of certain municipal premises for the management team as part of the development of the management work carried out on the Contamines-Montjoie National Nature Reserve. The new management plan methodology (dashboards) is being implemented on 4 of the 6 nature reserves (currently in place in the remaining 2 reserves). Relevant indicators are therefore adapted to the monitoring of the natural, cultural and ecosystem services implemented. The EAGL considers that the National Nature Reserve of the Contamines-Montjoie and the 5 National Nature Reserves of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges have achieved all the standards of Pillar 3 of the Green List.
Pillar 4: Successful Conservation Considering the implementation of the new methodology of management plans over a 10-year period, providing the implementation of appropriate indicators, the manager is in the ability to measure the success of the conservation of the main values of the 6 nature reserves. This assessment deserves the implementation or adaptation of indicators relating to ecosystem services, which are however actions already in place through the social issues of local integration, appropriation, communication or dissemination, but also environmental, in view of the work carried out on alpine pastures, high-altitude lakes, ancient forests, heathlands and glaciers. In addition, the data collected benefit from a seniority that can reveal clear and robust trends in the state of ecosystems. The measures put in place by ASTERS to achieve this pillar of the Green List are quite exemplary and inspiring. The EAGL considers that the National Nature Reserve of the Contamines-Montjoie and the 5 National Nature Reserves of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges have achieved all the standards of Pillar 4 of the Green List. Decision Following the review of the application of the the National Nature Reserve of the Contamines-Montjoie and National Nature Reserves of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges, the EAGL welcomed the remarkable efforts of the team of managers for the conservation of the values of the site and underlined the quality and completeness of the file.
On the basis of these elements, the EAGL voted unanimously in favour of the inscription of the National Nature Reserve of the Contamines-Montjoie and National Nature Reserves of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges on the protected areas green list. The site’s visit report is available on another platform for the reviewer and Committee anytime.
Reviewer Summary
The Reviewer confirms that the process was conducted in line with the User Manual’s rules and procedures. The Reserves of Haut-Giffre and Aiguilles Rouges were assessed, visited and discussed by the EAGL together with the process of site S-0278 (Réserve naturelle nationale des Contamines-Montjoie) since they are managed by the same structure and with most of the same stakeholders being the same. A site visit took place on February 23 and 24 and a further meeting on January 30. The site visit schedule was approved by the Reviewer prior to the visit after some clarification was requested from and given by the visiting EAGL member. The EAGL discussion on the candidate took place on March 3 in the presence of the Implementing partner, the site manager and the mentor. The reviewer attended part of this discussion remotely and was provided with the recording of the whole meeting. The Sites’ Manager showed a very high understanding of the GL Standard, and presented a clear and transparent self-assessment against all indicators with a continuous improvement approach. This presentation was then followed by a detailed feedback on the site visit and EAGL deliberation and vote (in the absence of the site manager and mentor). As for all candidates, all relevant documentation, including the site visit report were shared with all EAGL members and the Reviewer prior to the EAGL meeting. The Reviewer would like to particularly mention the high quality of the site visit reports produced by the French EAGL members and the time invested in their assessments (this applies to all the processes discussed during the EAGL meeting on March 3 and 4, 2020). For confidentiality reasons, the site visit report was not uploaded onto COMPASS but will be made available to the GL committee prior to their meeting. All other information and documents are available in COMPASS. The EAGL voted unanimously for the nomination of the candidate, without conditions.
Protected Planet:
1) RN Sixt-Passy
2) RN Passy
3) RN Carlaveyron
4) RN Aiguilles Rouges
5) RN Vallon de Bérard
