Jean-Luc Langlois, Head of Agroecology at the Vercors Regional Nature Park (testimonial from the dossier “Regional nature parks and INRAE, a partnership for territorial transition” – 2024)
“I started out as a technical and economic advisor at the Cantal Chamber of Agriculture, and then went on to manage the Vercors Regional Nature Park Farmers’ Association, which was set up in 1970 – the same year as the Regional Nature Park – to represent farmers’ views to the Park. Their aim was to promote their work while preserving the area. They were willing participants to co-construct a joint charter project. In 2006, I joined the park as an agriculture officer, an opportunity to get even closer to research. Scientists are very interested in the Vercors, particularly for its Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors national nature reserve. The support they provided for the results of the agri-environmental measures introduced in the 1990s kick-started our collaboration. Today, we are working on an ecological development of agriculture that respects biodiversity. The flower meadow competition plays a part in this by demonstrating the agroecological benefits of meadows. What counts for us is that scientists take an interest in our actions and our region and make their results understandable.”
Testimonial from our thematic dossier
Thematic dossier
Regional nature parks and INRAE, a partnership for regional transition
The regional nature parks (PNR), set up in 1967 and now numbering 58, are important partners for INRAE. This partnership has been strengthened since the signing of a framework agreement with the Fédération des PNR in 2021. INRAE’s scientists, who are committed to the issues of sustainable development of territories and transitions, are involved in a variety of ways, ranging from research collaboration to expertise on scientific councils. This dossier illustrates the rich and diverse partnership between the two partners, which makes the NRPs innovative laboratories for change and research areas for public policy support.
