In the Gironde department (France), hunters play a significant role in the conservation and management of wetlands, one of Europe’s most threatened ecosystems. To date, 46 wetland sites covering around 642 hectares have been acquired and are actively managed by hunting organisations, with a clear focus on biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration.

Wetlands in Gironde have been heavily affected since the 1980s by agricultural intensification, urbanisation and infrastructure development.

In response, hunters—through the Gironde Departmental Hunting Federation (FDC33), Communal Hunting Associations (ACCA) and the Foundation for the Preservation of Nature (FPN)—have invested more than €1 million in land acquisition. These sites are primarily located within major wetland complexes such as the Blayais and Nord-Médoc marshes, which together account for the majority of the acquired areas.

Management of these wetlands is coordinated through local management committees, which work closely with farmers and land managers. Actions focus on water management, extensive grazing, vegetation control, and the maintenance of diverse habitats, including open water, reedbeds, and wet woodlands. Hunters also manage additional wetlands through agreements with private landowners and public partners.

This project highlights the long-standing contribution of hunters to wetland conservation and aligns closely with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration agenda. At a time when more than half of Europe’s wetlands have been lost, initiatives like this demonstrate how citizen-led conservation and sustainable land management can deliver tangible biodiversity benefits on the ground.

Read the full story on www.biodiversitymanifesto.com