Sensitive natural areas (ENS) on the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle (54)

The departmental council of Meurthe-et-Moselle is, at national level, one of the most advanced departments in terms of planning, preserving and opening up its sensitive natural areas to the public. The strategy aims at both the conservation of these exceptional territories, pedagogy, training and employment, as well as tourism. 12 departmental ENS sites are directly managed by the departmental council of Meurthe-et-Moselle. Owner of more than 800 ha of land, the departmental council conducts ecological management in order to preserve remarkable biodiversity. Discovery itineraries are already offered in the Meine Forest Massif, the Meurthe Wild Valley, the Tourbière de la Basse St-Jean in Bertrichamps or the Marais de Droitaumont (Jarny). In total, they are 80 protected ENS sites in partnership with the Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels de Lorraine and the local pilot authorities. More than 1,000 school events and 200 “general public” events are organised each year. They promote the discovery of Meurthe-et-Moselle Sensible Natural Spaces. The SNEs cover 5 % of the county’s territory (28,000 hectares).