Last updated: October 2024
Located in the municipality of Morne Rouge, the Domaine d’Émeraude was once an agricultural site but was transferred to the Martinique Regional Natural Park (PNRM) in the early 2000s. It underwent significant renovations in 2005 to transform it into a sanctuary for Martinican biodiversity, reflecting the need to protect and conserve the island's unique ecosystems. In 2011, it opened its doors to the public, serving as an important educational resource that raises awareness about the island's historical, natural, and cultural heritage (Refs 4, 7, 8). Today, the site encompasses 25 hectares protected from anthropogenic pressures and is primarily characterized by a humid tropical forest environment, which makes up 80% of the area (Ref 7). It is home to over a hundred native species (Ref 4) and offers nearly 4 kilometers of walking trails accessible to both adults and children, complete with recreational stops and educational amenities. The Domaine d’Émeraude was designed to enhance the conservation of native species while developing sustainable economic activities that benefit the local community. Moreover, the site emphasizes the well-being that forested areas provide to visitors, highlighting that "the air can be heard, the smells can be savored, and the sounds can be experienced. The freshness of the place is a source of change and relaxation..." (Ref 4).
Martinique
https://www.martinique-tour.com/decouvrir-la-martinique/sites-a-visiter-en-martinique/la-route-des-musees-et-jardins/visite-du-domaine-de-lemeraude/
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Community gardens and allotments
- Horticulture
- Other
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
- Other
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure
- Preservation of historic traditions
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Economic development: service sectors
- Tourism support
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
- Disconnection from nature
- Loss of sense of place and identity
Key priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests, Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Ecological restoration of existing green spaces, Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat conservation, Creating nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, or biodiversity hotspots to conserve unique ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs
Project objectives
To incorporate former agricultural land into the design of the National Park of Martinique.
To transmit and conserve historical and cultural heritage while educating about native traditional knowledge and artisanry.
To develop sustainable economic activities that generate income from conservation efforts.
To conserve biodiversity by providing protected spaces for native forest ecosystems to thrive, as well as maintaining greenhouses for native and rare species, including a traditional (créole) house and a subsistence garden housing over 300 plants and spices used in traditional cooking and medicine
To create a space where people can engage in sensory experiences with the forest, promoting well-being.
To provide educational resources and information on cultural, historical, and natural heritage, along with environmental education that emphasizes mitigation potential
(Refs 3, 4, 5).
Implementation activities
The project at Domaine d’Émeraude integrates traditional agricultural practices with educational initiatives. A subsistence créole garden ( over 300 plants and spices used in traditional cooking and medicine) showcases traditional agricultural techniques and plants. The installation of greenhouses, which also sell plants, helps preserve native or rare species while promoting biodiversity.
The landscape was restructured to support the forest ecosystem, providing habitats for local species. The "esplanade" presents a creative interpretation of the créole ecological garden, offering an interactive space for visitors. In addition, an educational trail inspired by traditional chamanic and animist knowledge highlights the medicinal properties of plants.
The site promotes local entrepreneurship through the establishment of an on-site restaurant, L’auberge de la Montagne Pelée. Visitors can explore over four kilometers of walking trails, suitable for both children and adults, featuring information boards and greenhouses displaying rare or endemic species. The "Nature Exploration Pavilion" serves as a pedagogical space, covering Martinique's natural history, including landscape, vegetation, and the role of mangroves .Finally, the summer months host participative workshops for children and adults. (Ref.1-3)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Take measures for ex situ conservation
- Means for conservation governance
- Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
- Raise public awareness
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Public sector institution
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project was initiated, implemented and is currently controlled by the PNRM (National Park of Martinique). The PNRM is a public sector institution. Its budget is mainly financed by regional, intermunicipal and municipal governments, the remainder of the budget comes from the national government and the EU. Private organizations can also provide funding to the PNRM's budget (Ref 10).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships), Support from transitional governance actors
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Public national budget
- Public regional budget
- EU funds
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
- Increase in protected green space areas
- Achieved increase in protected green space areas
- Increased number of protection areas
- Achieved increased number of protection areas
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Generation of income from NBS
- Achieved generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief
- Expected enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
- Achieved increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
PNRM (2019). Rapport Activite 2018. pnr-martinique.com, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
2.
PNRM (2018). Rapport Activite 2017. pnr-martinique.com, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
3.
PNRM (2017). Rapport Activite 2016. pnr-martinique.com, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
4.
PNRM (n.d.). le Domaine d'Émeraude. pnr-martinique.com, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
5.
PNRM (n.d.). La charte du PNRM. pnr-martinique.com, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
6.
PNRM (n.d.). Les missions du PNRM. pnr-martinique.com, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Martinique Tour (n.d.). Domaine d'Émeraude Jardin Remarquable. martinique-tour.com, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
8.
Martinique Tour (n.d.). Visite du Domaine d'Émeraude. martinique-tour.com, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
9.
INSEE (2024). Dossier complet Commune du Morne-Rouge (97218). insee.fr, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
10.
PNRF (2021). LE BUDGET ET LES EFFECTIFS DES PARCS NATURELS REGIONAUX. parcsnaturelsregionaux.fr, Accessed on September 25, 2024, [Source link];
Martinique
https://www.martinique-tour.com/decouvrir-la-martinique/sites-a-visiter-en-martinique/la-route-des-musees-et-jardins/visite-du-domaine-de-lemeraude/
Martinique
https://www.martinique-tour.com/decouvrir-la-martinique/sites-a-visiter-en-martinique/la-route-des-musees-et-jardins/visite-du-domaine-de-lemeraude/
Domaine de l'Émeraude
Screenshot from: https://www.martinique-tour.com/decouvrir-la-martinique/sites-a-visiter-en-martinique/la-route-des-musees-et-jardins/visite-du-domaine-de-lemeraude/
The Nature Exploration Pavillion
Screenshot from: https://www.martinique-tour.com/decouvrir-la-martinique/sites-a-visiter-en-martinique/la-route-des-musees-et-jardins/visite-du-domaine-de-lemeraude/
Martinique
https://www.martinique-tour.com/decouvrir-la-martinique/sites-a-visiter-en-martinique/la-route-des-musees-et-jardins/visite-du-domaine-de-lemeraude/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.