1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Clermont-Ferrand
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Parc Montjuzet
Short description of the intervention
"This 26-hectare park, the largest in Clermont-Ferrand, offers a privileged view of the city. Several wooded areas serve as shelters for permanent and passing wildlife. For the last two years, gardeners in the park have no longer used pesticides to maintain Montjuzet Park, the effects are already measurable on the enrichment of flora and fauna." "During the development of the Parc Montjuzet, the choice was made to keep 9 hectares without intervention. These hectares could be a source of some ecological richness. Hives have been established near this area since 2009." (Ref. 1) This park has the Refuge LPO label. (Ref 2)
Address

10 Rue du Parc de Montjuzet
63100 Clermont-Ferrand
France

Area boundary
POINT (3.0710893578834 45.791489533982)
POINT (3.0690944932703 45.78830790607)
POINT (3.0739711194596 45.786762285665)
POINT (3.077683991635 45.787560806742)
POINT (3.0777765914221 45.790420357904)
POINT (3.0710893578834 45.791489533982)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Aerial photograph of full park extent from Google earth pro (July 21, 2020). Area is roughly hexagonal in shape.
Total area
260000.00m²
NBS area
260000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
pre-1990
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
pre-1990
End date of the intervention
unknown
Present stage of the intervention
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
Last label was given in 2016 (LabelAPIcité®, thanks to its local policy on the protection of pollinators) (Ref. 2).
"For the past 2 years, the park's gardeners have no longer used pesticides for the maintenance of Montjuzet Park" "Hives have been installed in the vicinity of this zone since 2009" (Ref. 1)
Goals of the intervention
-Offering a green zone in the middle of the city to the citizens who can enjoy a spectacular view over the city and the volcanoes chain of Auvergne
-Maintain biodiversity by avoiding pesticides
-Habitat for fauna
-Leisure and recreational purposes (jogging, playground areas for children, picnic)
-9 hectares of the park untouched to preserve the "ecological richness" (Ref. 1)
-4 Hives to produce honey (Ref 2)

The LPO designation held by the park has four principles (Ref. 7):
1. Create conditions conducive to the installation of wild fauna and flora
By protecting birds and nature by ensuring the tranquility of the place, in particular during sensitive periods such as during nesting and extreme cold.
By diversifying and developing, depending on the surface of my Refuge, environments favorable to wild flora and fauna, such as a country hedge, a pond or a dry stone wall.
By favoring the planting of species that grow naturally in my region, more resistant to climatic conditions and adapted to the local fauna.
2: Limit use of chemicals
By adopting an ecological management method for my Refuge and by preferring manual weeding techniques or organic products if an intervention is really necessary.
By preferring natural fertilizers (compost, nettle manure, etc.) for demanding plants such as fruit trees or vegetables, by promoting plant associations and disease-reducing auxiliaries.
3: Reduce impact on the environment
By adopting eco-citizen actions, in particular by making reasonable use of natural resources such as water and by recycling my household waste.
4. Create space without hunting for biodiversity
By committing myself not to hunt in the Refuge if it is located in an area where hunting can be practiced.
By taking any useful step, at the initiative and with the advice of the LPO, so that hunting can be prohibited there as soon as possible
Honey production (Ref 1 & 2)
Quantitative targets
"4 hives installed" (Ref. 2)
-9 hectares of the park untouched to preserve the "ecological richness" (Ref. 1)
26 hectares of park space (Ref 1)
9 hectares of the park without intervention (Ref 1)
Monitoring indicators defined
Specific monitoring undertaken by the city is unknown.
hectares of park space (Ref 1)
hectares of the park without intervention (Ref 1)

The APIcité® label which the park received in 2016 has criteria which must be met in five categories (exact indicators are not readily available) (Ref. 6):
Sustainable development
Biodiversity
Green space management
Beekeeping
Sensitization
Please specify "other Habitats and biodiversity conservation activity"
Maintain biodiversity by avoiding pesticides (Ref 1) ; Create conditions conducive to the installation of wild fauna and flora
By protecting birds and nature by ensuring the tranquility of the place, in particular during sensitive periods such as during nesting and extreme cold. (Ref 7) ; pollinator protection.(Ref. 2)
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Implementation activities
"Its twenty hectares offer the possibility of great walks and its picnic areas the occasion of pleasant lunches on the grass." (Ref. 2)
No pesticides are used to preserve biodiversity and playgrounds for children (Ref.1)
"4 hives installed" and "Mediterranean garden" (Ref. 2)
"Since 2010, the City and the Unaf (National Union of French Beekeeping) are bound by a convention for the installation, monitoring and exploitation of apiaries"
"In 2016, the city was awarded the APIcité® label, thanks to its local policy on pollinator protection." (Ref. 2)
All those initiatives of preserving habitat and biodiversity have helped the park to receive the label LPO (the first association for the protection of nature in France).
"Located on a hill at an altitude of 486 m, in a protected urbanization zone, this park of 26 hectares, the largest of Clermont-Ferrand, offers a privileged view on the city and on the volcanic chain of Auvergne." (Ref. 1)
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Other
Community gardens and allotments
Community gardens
Intentionally unmanaged areas
Abandoned spaces with growth of wilderness or greens
Please specify "other parks or (semi)natural urban green area"
"Mediterranean garden" (Ref. 2)
Please specify "other allotments and community gardens"
4 Hives to produce honey installed (Ref 2)
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
4 Hives to produce honey installed (Ref 2)
Vegetation Type
Please specify how many trees were planted
Unknown
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
-Covered area, free parking (Ref. 1)
-In 2019 a shuttle between the city centre and the park was developed (Ref. 7).
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Other
Regulating services
Pollination
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Pest and disease control
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Inspiration for culture, art and design
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals
Social and community interactions
Please specify "other provisioning service"
Honey production (Ref 1 & 2)
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Governance
Governance arrangements
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The park is managed by the City of Clermont Ferrand (Ref. 1 and 2)
The City and the Unaf (National Union of French Beekeeping) are partners by a convention for the installation, monitoring and exploitation of apiaries as 4 hives have been installed in the park. (Ref. 1)
Key actors - initiating organization
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
National government
Local government/municipality
Researchers/university
Citizens or community group
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan
"Since 2010, the City and the Unaf (National Union of French Beekeeping) are bound by a convention for the installation, monitoring and exploitation of apiaries. Through this partnership, the City is committed to the "Bee, Sentinel of the Environment" operation, to raise awareness among Clermont residents of the essential role of bees in maintaining biodiversity. In 2016, the city was awarded the APIcité® label, thanks to its local policy on pollinator protection." (Ref. 2)
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
"In 2016, the city was awarded the APIcité® label, thanks to its local policy on pollinator protection." (Ref. 2)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
"In 2016, the city was awarded the APIcité® label, thanks to its local policy on pollinator protection." (Ref. 2)
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
-The city has a Sustainable Plan with a section "Preservation of biodiversity, environment and resources" (Ref. 4)
-Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Project of Clermond Ferrand (2016) Section "Orientation 3: Relative to nature in the city and ecological continuity" (Parc Montjuzet is mentioned in the under section "Restore Ecological Corridors") (Ref. 4, page 27)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Please specify other vegetation type
"Mediterranean garden" (Ref. 2); 4 Hives to produce honey installed (Ref 2)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
"Since 2010, the City and the Unaf (National Union of French Beekeeping) are bound by a convention for the installation, monitoring and exploitation of apiaries. Through this partnership, the City is committed to the "Bee, Sentinel of the Environment" operation" (Ref. 2)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Financing
Total cost
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
The park is managed by the city of Clermont Ferrand (Ref. 1 and 2)
Source(s) of funding
Type of fund(s) used
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Please specify other Business model
no pesticides model/limit chemicals model: gardeners in the park have no longer used pesticides to maintain Montjuzet Park, the effects are already measurable on the enrichment of flora and fauna (Ref 1)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Please specify technological innovation
Installation of bee hives to produce honey and preserve pollinators in the city. (Ref. 2)
Please specify social innovation
Recreational purposes of the park (Ref 1)
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Description of environmental benefits
Green space and habitat
-Increase in protected green space areas: quantiative, m^2, "9 hectares without intervention. These hectares could be the source of a certain ecological wealth" (Ref. 1)
-Enhanced support of pollination: qualitative description, award from UNAF indicating a "remarkable approach" to the protection of bees which are important pollinators (Ref. 6).
-Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales: qualitative description of increased connectivity between Montjuzet and the Cotes site (Ref. 4)
For the last two years, gardeners in the park have no longer used pesticides to maintain Montjuzet Park, the effects are already measurable on the enrichment of flora and fauna." (Ref 1)
-9 hectares of the park untouched to preserve the "ecological richness" (Ref. 1)
"In 2016, the city was awarded the APIcité® label, thanks to its local policy on pollinator protection." (Ref. 2)
Economic impacts
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
Shuttle may enhance accessibility to the park in the future (Ref. 8).
Description of economic benefits
More sustainable tourism: a qualitative expected impact. Implementing a shuttle between the city centre and the park in 2019. "This new line will make the trip in 15 minutes. The objective: to provide a service to the leisure and tourism areas of the metropolis" (Ref. 8).
Description of social and cultural benefits
Social justice and cohesion
-Improved access to urban green space: qualitative description of access for citizens (Ref. 2). Shuttle may enhance accessibility in future (Ref. 8).
-Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: qualitative description of access for citizens "Its many play areas delight children while parents can stretch out on the lawns in the sun, far from the noise of the city with the volcanoes within reach. Its twenty-six hectares allow for long walks and its picnic areas the opportunity for pleasant lunches on the grass" (Ref. 1). "To maintain your physical condition" (Ref. 2).
offers a privileged view on the city and on the volcanic chain of Auvergne." (Ref. 1)
Type of reported impacts
Indicators
Honey production and pollinators preservation, recreational activities, green spaces without intervention for letting the ecological richness to develop, habitat for fauna, no pesticides used (Ref. 1 and 2).

-Increase in protected green space areas: quantiative, m^2, "9 hectares without intervention.
-9 hectares of the park untouched to preserve the "ecological richness" (Ref. 1)
15 minutes on shuttle from city centre to park (Ref 8)

Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
The city indicated that parks and gardens were closed to the public in an advisory on April 20, 2020 (though they may have closed earlier with France's stay at home order issued March 16). They were reopened on May 13, 2020: "Parks and gardens: They will be reopened from Wednesday 13 May at 12 noon if the department is classified green. Playgrounds may not be accessible or subject to civic behavior to apply barrier gestures."
Clermont-Ferrand https://clermont-ferrand.fr/actualite/sites-fermes-au-public-mise-jour-le-20042020-11h00 (July 20, 2020).
https://clermont-ferrand.fr/actualite/continuite-ou-reprise-des-services-publics-de-proximite-reouverture-des-equipements (July 20, 2020).
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown.
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
The shuttle to the park being trialed in 2019 was the result of requests during citizen consultations: "It is the population who wanted to benefit from this new service. A request made during citizen consultations, organized in 2018, by the city of Clermont-Ferrand" (Ref. 8).; Through the LPO website (the association of the nature in France which gave the label to the park), citizens can share their observations of the fauna and birds. (Ref. 5)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
List of references
1. Auvergne Centre France (n.d). "Parc Montjuzet". Parcs & Jardins - Puy de Dome. Available at: http://auvergne-centrefrance.com/geotouring/activites/parcs/parc-montjuzet-clermont-ferrand/parc-montjuzet.html (Accessed: July 21, 2020).
2. Clermont-Ferrand (n.d)."Le parc de Montjuzet". Available at: https://clermont-ferrand.fr/le-parc-de-montjuzet (Accessed: July 21, 2020).
3. Clermont Ferrand (2014). “Rapport 2014 Développement Durable”. Available at: https://en.calameo.com/read/000000209c8a764d859be?bkcode=000000209c8a764d859be (Accessed: July 21, 2020).
4. Ville de Clermont Ferrand (2016). “Plan d’Aménagement and de Développement Durables”. Available at: https://en.calameo.com/read/0000002095f4a1a23e540 (Accessed: July 21, 2020).
5. LPO (n.d). "Partagez vos observations". Available at: https://www.lpo.fr/partager-vos-observations/partagez-vos-observations (Accessed: July 21, 2020).
6. UNAF (2016). "APIcité 2016". Available at: https://www.unaf-apiculture.info/nos-actions/apicite-29/apicite-2016.html (Accessed: July 21, 2020).
7. LPO (2017). "Charte Refuges LPO". Available at: https://www.lpo.fr/refuges-lpo/charte-refuges-lpo (Accessed: July 21, 2020).
8. France 3 (2019). "Clermont-Ferrand : expérimentation d'une navette entre le centre-ville et le parc Montjuzet". Available at: https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/puy-de-dome/clermont-ferrand/clermont-ferrand-experimentation-navette-entre-centre-ville-parc-montjuzet-1692436.html (Accessed: July 21, 2020).
Comments and notes
Additional insights
Through the LPO website (the association of the nature in France which gave the label to the park), citizens can share their observations of the fauna and birds. (Ref. 5)

In 2019, the city announced that "a shuttle will connect Clermont-Ferrand city center to Montjuzet Park in 15 minutes" in order to expand use of the park (Ref. 8).