Good Practice - Project
Preservation of the Pearl Mussel (Mulette Perlière) in the Normandy Region
A CAP funded project which aimed to contribute to the preservation of the pearl mussel in the Normandy Region.
General information
RDP Priority
- P4. Ecosystems management
RDP Focus Area
- 4A: Biodiversity restoration, preservation & enhancement
RDP Measure
- M07: Basic services & village renewal
Summary
The ‘Collines Normandes’ association – a Permanent Centre for Environmental Initiatives (CPIE) launched a project for the preservation of the pearl mussel in the Normandy Region. This project took place from 2017 to 2021 and sought to preserve the freshwater pearl mussel and the river ecosystems upon which this endangered species depends.
Results
- A database of mussel populations and habitats was created and shared with relevant stakeholders.
- More than 100 000 pearl mussels were raised at the Brasparts breeding station.
- Activities for local people reached 164 residents; 11 activities for schools reached 245 children; and a daytrip for the local high school (to the Brasparts breeding station) was attended by 32 students.
- One board game was created, complete with an accompanying pedagogical guidebook dedicated to schoolteachers.
- 30 information panels were added near important environmental sites that have pearl mussel populations and supporting print materials were distributed locally.
Promoter
CPIE Collines Normandes
Funding
Total budget 140 000.00 (EUR)
EAFRD 70 000.00 (EUR)
National/Regional 70 000.00 (EUR)
Ressources
Preservation of the Pearl Mussel (Mulette Perlière) in the Normandy Region
(PDF – 2.24 Mo)
Context
The territory of Lisieux-Normandie is known for its rich biodiversity and varied habitats, which include mixed woodland and pasture, calcicolous grasslands, and limestone areas. In order to preserve this very specific ecological network, the intercommunal alliance of Lisieux-Normandie developed a project that would help identify and preserve the area’s blue, green and nocturnal natural corridors. The project was developed in partnership with Biotope (environmental experts), Voix Active (public & participatory consultation experts) and Dark Sky Lab (light pollution experts). It was co-financed by the EAFRD and the Normandy Region.
Objectives
The aims of this project were to conduct a mapping and diagnosis of the green (vegetative), blue (aquatic) and black (all nocturnal biodiversity) corridors of the Lisieux-Normandie area and to raise awareness among a broad range of local stakeholders about the importance of preserving them.
Activities
The project included three different phases:
- Mapping and diagnosis (2019-2020) included a collaboration with the municipalities and stakeholders of the territory, to map the existing corridors and sub-corridors in the area. Five sub-corridors were identified for the blue and green corridors, including a calcicolous sub-corridor and a bocage sub-corridor.
- Participatory sessions with local stakeholders to validate the corridors (2020-2021) were carried out in collaboration with municipalities, community associations, local and regional authorities, the conservatory of natural areas in the Normandy Region, as well as local federations for hunting and fishing.
- Elaboration of an action plan for the three corridors (blue, green and black) (2021) focused on ensuring sustainable urban development, reducing territorial ‘parcelling out’, increasing knowledge and awareness, as well as overseeing the operational implementation of the corridors plan and their integration into local development planning documents.
Main results
Project outputs included an Atlas of local biodiversity, maps and diagnosis documents for the three corridors, as well as an action plan for their preservation and improvement. The action plan defined pond types, their ecosystems, and their rehabilitation. In 2019, 22 ponds were rehabilitated; in 2021, Five more ponds were rehabilitated, and 13 more followed in 2022.
Agricultural stakeholders received help to preserve the ecological corridors on their farms. The project enabled the diagnosis of corridors on agricultural land and the design of actions that would enable their preservation.
Local inhabitants, technicians and school students participated in an eco-citizenship programme that consisted of a festival, a series of training sessions, and a series of ‘family challenges’ that ran each year. This was accompanied by the production and distribution of awareness raising info sheets and other supporting documents.
Key lessons
Business and industry are partly responsible for pollution and should play a role in tackling it. The next step is to engage private stakeholders in the joint task of preserving the corridors, in particular the nocturnal corridor.
“The idea is to create synergies between local stakeholders, to maintain the corridors and the
biodiversity on the territory.”
Lisieux-Normandie Agglomeration