Feder

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE REGION OF PAYS DE LA LOIRE PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE NATURE RESERVE

European funds aimed at improving regional development play an important role in the smooth running of the nature reserve.

The reserve is run by three employees: the curator, the technical warden and the nature educator, plus a number of staff based at the LPO France head office in Rochefort. The Ministry of Ecology pays an annual operating grant covering most of the costs. Admission to the reserve also helps to cover the financial costs of this protected area. Unfortunately, these resources do not cover all the operating and investment needs set out in the reserve’s 2015-2024 management plan.

To implement this plan over the period 2015 to 2024, LPO France is receiving substantial support from the Pays de la Loire Region. The region has a budget of several million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which aims to support projects that promote competitiveness, the economy and the sustainable development of the regions.

In this context, the LPO has been awarded a grant under the “Support for the network of protected areas: leadership, studies, work and scientific monitoring” action of the Regional Operational Programme. As a result, some biological monitoring, small-scale investments, events and public visits are now possible thanks to this essential additional European financial aid.