The Department of Urban Amenities joins forces with the National Forestry Office (ONF) to mark International Day of Forests with tours and presentation workshops.
In the late 1970s, the date of 21 March was named International Day of Forests, as part of efforts to promote the importance of the different functions of forest ecosystems. The day is marked with major public awareness actions.
Some 20% of Monaco is covered with green spaces (public and private) representing around 420,000 m², and the Principality works actively to preserve its arboreal heritage. A "Tree Code" was introduced some years ago, to restore trees to their rightful place in the city, while highlighting their importance and their virtues.
This document also identified a number of remarkable specimens based on three criteria (biological, botanical, and heritage) and a special "Heritage Tree Trail" was created as part of an initiative dubbed "Monaco commits to the fight against deforestation" in collaboration with the Prince's Government, the Prince Albert II Foundation, and the association MC2D.
A walk along the Heritage Tree Trail passes through the different districts of Monaco via its famous gardens, such as the Princess Grace Rose Garden, the Japanese Gardens, the Little African Gardens, and the Saint Martin Gardens, and also takes in others, perhaps less well known, such as the Unesco Garden.
Situated on the Rock, the Saint Martin Gardens feature a Biodiversity Trail. An inventory of plant and animal life carried out to apply for special certification for the garden found that it was home to a wide variety of species (common shag, peregrine falcon, bats, etc.). As a result, as part of moves by the Department of the Environment, the gardens were awarded the EVE (Ecological Green Space) label, along with the Rose Garden, the Japanese Gardens, and the Gardens of the Villa Sauber.
To mark International Day of Forests on 21 March, a workshop presenting the actions taken by the Principality, in conjunction with the ONF (National Forestry Office), will be held at the entrance to the Saint Martin Gardens. Members of the public will be invited to take part in activities relating to forests and arboreal heritage (free access).
These visits are free and open to all (booking required), and offer an opportunity to discover the new features created at this natural site under the agreement between the Principality and the ONF (insect hotel, water mirror, arboretum, etc.).
To find out more: amenagment@gouv.mc or +377 98 98 22 77