Ordesa y Monte Perdido and the Pyrenees National Park seal an alliance for its conservation

The Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park and the Pyrenees National Park (France) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that formalizes their cooperation for the period 2024-2034. This agreement seeks to strengthen the joint management of both parks, with the aim of preserving their natural and cultural heritage, and promoting sustainable local development.

The agreement was signed by the Director General of the Natural Environment, Alfonso Calvo Tomás, and the Director of the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, Elena Villagrasa Ferrer. On behalf of the French Republic, the agreement was signed by the President of the Board of Directors of the Pyrenees National Park, Louis Armary, and the Director of the Pyrenees National Park, Melina Roth. “Working together we will achieve the proposed objectives in an efficient, effective and, above all, sustainable manner,” said Alfonso Calvo.

The collaboration between the two parks has a long history, beginning in 1988 with the first cross-border cooperation charter. Both parks, located in the central massif of the Pyrenees, share a rich landscape, biology and culture that has been internationally recognised, as reflected by their inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the title “Pyrenees – Monte Perdido: cirques and canyons”.

As regards the key commitments set out in the 2024-2034 Memorandum, in terms of governance, the agreement provides for the organisation of annual meetings between the management of both parks to coordinate common actions, share knowledge and promote the exchange of staff. A continuous flow of information between the teams will also be implemented, allowing for better management of cross-border projects and joint strategic decision-making. In addition, the participation of representatives of each park in the respective boards of directors and scientists of the neighbouring park will be facilitated, with the aim of promoting a more integrated and coherent management of shared resources.

In terms of conservation and sustainability, joint scientific activities will be developed to study the impact of climate change on the biodiversity of the Pyrenees, focusing on local fauna and flora. Shared databases will be established on the evolution of species and ecosystems, and joint studies will be carried out on the introduction of endangered species, as well as on the impact of invasive species. Both parties will also collaborate in the observation of phenomena such as light pollution and in the protection of pastoral landscapes that form part of the Pyrenean cultural heritage.

With regard to sustainable tourism, the Memorandum establishes the need to improve accessibility to protected natural areas, while maintaining a respectful approach towards fragile environments. Environmental education programmes will be promoted to raise awareness among both visitors and local communities about the importance of conservation. In addition, the creation of infrastructure such as trails and information points in both parks will continue, in order to offer an enriching experience to the more than 1.5 million visitors they receive annually.

Cooperation between schools in both countries will also be encouraged, reinforcing environmental awareness among young people. Finally, in relation to local development, both parks will work on promoting local products and preserving traditional activities such as pastoralism, which has been a key element in shaping the Pyrenean landscape and culture. Ecotourism initiatives that respect nature and contribute to improving the quality of life of local communities will be promoted, while seeking a balanced management of recreational activities in the area. Thus, these commitments show the commitment of both natural areas to preserve an exceptional natural and cultural heritage and to work together to face the challenges posed by climate change in the Pyrenean area.

The agreement, which is not legally binding and does not involve any extraordinary costs for the parties, will be implemented through five-year action plans, the results of which will be reviewed at follow-up meetings.

THE MANAGEMENT

Nearly a hundred employees of the public company Sarga work to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the users of the Park. This involves the maintenance, restoration and cleaning of infrastructure such as paths and buildings. In addition, the guards provide information and surveillance of the natural environment. As an informative complement, awareness-raising and environmental education activities are organised for visitors and schoolchildren, especially in summer and spring. All these functions are carried out under the direction of the Government of Aragon and the management of the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.

The Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (15,700 hectares) is the only natural area in the region to be classified as a national park and receives approximately 600,000 visitors a year. The Pyrenees National Park (45,700 hectares in central area), bordering the French-Spanish border for 100 kilometres, is a member of the prestigious Green List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Monte Perdido massif is at the heart of the two National Parks. Since 1997, under the name “Pyrenees – Monte Perdido, cirques and canyons”, this massif has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its geology, its pastoral landscapes and its culture. This cross-border mixed property of 31,189 hectares is managed by a joint steering committee made up of equal representatives of France and Spain with an official mandate from the governments of the two States.