Like the Mont-Blanc massif (Haute-Savoie), the marshes of the lower valley of Essonne and Juine have just joined the very closed list of sites labeled by the International Union for the Conservation of nature (IUCN).
Recognized throughout the world, this distinction rewards the management work carried out for several decades by the teams of the departmental conservatory of Sensitive Natural Areas (ENS).
Located between Itteville and Corbeil-Essonnes, these marshes cover an area of 946 ha, of which 533 ha are owned by the Department.
This peaty valley floor, part of the Natura 2000 network, is home to a great diversity of species.
Located between Itteville and Corbeil-Essonnes, the marshes of the lower valley of Essonne and Juine are home to a great diversity of species.
Among them, the osprey.
Alain Desbrueres
Among birds, the osprey, the black kite, the star bittern and the kingfisher have made the site their favorite refuge.
Amphibian side, the crested newt particularly appreciates these marshy areas and among fish, the bouvière delights in these stagnant and vegetated waters.
Only 59 sites listed around the world
"Since 2005, a couple of ospreys come to breed in the marshes of Misery, which extends over the municipalities of Vert-le-Petit and Écharcon," specifies Julien Daubignard, in charge of European and forestry heritage for the departmental conservatory. sensitive natural spaces.
We can also see a little heron, the little bittern, when it comes back from Africa.
He particularly appreciates the reeds.
Finally, the black kite, which is a raptor, is present again after ten years of absence.
If all these species are there, it is because their habitat suits them perfectly.
"
Read also In Essonne, biodiversity flourishes in 57 natural areas
To join this prestigious “green list”, which currently only includes 59 sites around the world (in Australia, South Korea, China, Spain, Egypt, etc.), the marshes of the lower Essonne valley and la Juine had to meet 17 criteria of excellence.
“It goes from management to planning to conservation results,” adds the specialist.
This label, which serves as a world reference, is awarded for a period of five years.
We must therefore continue the work undertaken.
"
Protect these natural sites
Advisor to the president of the Essonne Nature Environnement association, Jean-François Poitvin underlines the “consistency” of this distinction.
"The department has been able to unite and put in place the actions necessary for the preservation of this site", he notes.
Located between Itteville and Corbeil-Essonnes, the marshes of the lower valley of Essonne and Juine are home to a great diversity of species.
Among them, the kingfisher.
Alain Desbrueres
Because originally, the Essonne and the Juine were navigable.
“They were used to transport cereals to Corbeil before they left for Paris,” continues Jean-François Poitvin.
Then in the 19th century, these marshes were dug for their peat which was used for heating.
When all this was finished, they then became spaces for recreation.
We therefore went from an economic activity to a fun activity.
The Department has been very successful in this transition, while succeeding in preserving habitats and species.
"
"We have just joined an extremely small label," welcomes the president of the departmental council of Essonne, François Durovray (LR). I am very proud of it because it crowns the work of the teams. It is also the recognition of our political will to protect these spaces. This subtle balance between cities and rurality is the department's greatest wealth. We therefore owe it to ourselves to put in the necessary means to protect these sites. "
