Charente-Maritime: the Massonne nature reserve doubles its surface area to reach more than 200 hectares

The extension of the Massonne Regional Nature Reserve was voted on in March 2025, allowing more habitats and species to be protected.

The extension of the Massonne Regional Nature Reserve (located in the municipalities of La Gripperie-Saint-Symphorien and Saint-Sornon) was voted on in March, during the plenary session of the Regional Council. Since its classification in 2012, the Massonne Regional Nature Reserve has been the subject of significant consultation and study work which led to its extension . Adjacent or nearby plots, belonging to private owners, nature protection associations, the Coastal Conservatory, the Natural Spaces Conservatory but also to municipalities, have thus been integrated into the reserve, doubling the surface area of ​​the Nature Reserve, from 100 to 203 hectares.

This protected natural area presents a great diversity of habitats composed of meadows, marshes, wetlands and aquatic environments. The ecological stakes are important: more than 43 natural habitats are of high heritage value, more than 363 plant species have been inventoried, including 28 heritage species, 2 species protected at the national level as well as 12 new species on the extension perimeter. The site is also emblematic for the reception of the European pond turtle bringing together the wintering areas, breeding grounds and nesting sites. 90 species of birds have also been identified, 40% of which are remarkable species for the territory. Several insect species present are very rare or in danger of extinction.

Following this vote, Guillaume Riou, Vice-President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council in charge of Ecological Transition, the Environment and Biodiversity, Joël Papineau, Mayor of Saint-Sornin, Denis Rouyer, Mayor of La Gripperie-Saint-Symphorien, and Bruno Toison, Administrator of Nature Environnement 17, will visit the heart of the reserve on Tuesday, May 13. On the agenda: a visit to integrated meadow plots and a visit to the extension where ponds, for educational purposes, have been restored.