Picture credit: Louise Seguinel
Urban Butterfly Park, an example of citizen science initiative in Marseille
To bring nature back to the city and counter the loss of biodiversity caused by urbanisation, the Population Environment Development Laboratory (LPED, Aix-Marseille Université/IRD) is leading a project to create a butterfly haven and attraction zone, the Parc urbain des papillons or Urban Butterfly Park. Find out more about this citizen science initiative led in Marseille.
The Urban Butterfly Park : a unique experimental research facility
Biodiversity conservation has become a crucial issue, and its study has gradually moved from natural environments to urbanised areas. Several laboratories around the world are currently working on urban biodiversity. One of these is the Population Environment Development Laboratory (LPED, Aix-Marseille Université/IRD), which in 2012 set up a unique experimental research facility to impart knowledge and raise awareness: the Urban Butterfly Park.
Located on a former agricultural plot in Marseille’s 14th arrondissement, the Urban Butterfly Park is the result of the construction and implementation of a collaborative programme based on research focusing on urban biodiversity and the scientific and educational approaches associated with it. It is a participatory project, sharing its best practice with as many people as possible through research, training, experimentation and dissemination activities.
Intergrating nature to urban planning in view of climate change
In terms of research, since 2010 LPED researchers have been monitoring butterfly communities and studying the influence of management practices. On the teaching side, the Urban Butterfly Park welcomes students to put their theoretical knowledge to the test. It is a place of experimentation for students from the Lycée des Calanques, who help the scientists to maintain this area, whilst also being offered training in biodiversity. Future environmental managers are also welcome to learn about more sustainable management of green spaces. These actions help to integrate nature more effectively into urban planning in the context of climate change for example.
Outreach activites for all publics
A wide range of outreach activities are also carried out all year round. Activities and visits are offered during which different audiences can share their own experiences and see that everyone can take action, at their own level, to preserve biodiversity in the urban environment. The park is open during particular national days such as the “Rendez-vous aux jardins”, the European Heritage Days and the “Fête de la science.
The Urban Butterfly Park has been so successful that a similar device has been deployed in neighbouring Aix-en-Provence since June 2022.
Find out more about the project in French: https://lped.info/PUP/?PagePrincipale
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