SA Carrières Unies de Porphyre (CUP)

Objective

• To rehabilitate this remarkable site (waste removal, clearing of the undergrowth, removal of invasive species...);

• To identify and valorise the different ecological habitats that can be found on the site (ponds, pools, grassland with orchids, wood…);

• To favour the protection and the development of specific species in each habitat, especially the rare and protected species;

• To delimit the specific areas available for public access with creation of paths and establishment of didactic information boards;

• In the future, to create a natural reserve on a part of the site in partnership with the NGO Natagora.

Context

The site is considered as a Site of Great Biological Interest by the Walloon Region and is now covered by a convention signed in 2012 between CUP and Action Nature.

Actions

Actions for the winter 2013 – 2014 are to clear the wet areas around the pond, to clean the pools, and to open up a walk path.

Result

Several protected species, in particular orchids (3 species, one of which is Ophrys apifera), amphibians, and numerous remarkable dragonflies, fungus, lichens and ferns, have already been identified through fauna and flora inventories.

The partnership shows already good results as several areas have been rehabilitated, some orchids that have disappeared from the site can again been seen. Actions aiming at raising awareness of the public and local residents lead to a reduction of illegal waste deposit on the site.

Partners

Local NGO Action Nature.