The Local Mission and the Nature Reserve formalise their partnership
On Wednesday 3 June, the Saint-Martin Local Mission and the Association for the Management of the Saint-Martin National Nature Reserve (AGRNSM) signed a partnership agreement. The agreement is designed to introduce young people in the territory to careers related to the environment, biodiversity and the conservation of natural areas.
A document to formalise a collaboration that is already underway. More than just a formality, the agreement now binding Mission Locale de Saint-Martin and the Association for the Management of the Saint-Martin National Nature Reserve (AGRNSM) formalises a partnership that is already in place.
For Mission Locale, the aim of this agreement is to introduce young people aged 16 to 25 to the variety of careers supported by the AGRNSM. “Many have heard of the Reserve, but don’t really know what it does,” explains Caroline Rodrigues, director of Mission Locale. This partnership should therefore enable young people to take part in fieldwork and gain a better understanding of their island’s flora, fauna and biodiversity.
Work placements within the Reserve’s teams will also be available. Lasting from one day to one month, these placements are an important tool for career guidance. Young people can thus observe, ask questions and find out whether a particular career really interests them.
New perspectives on the environment
The Nature Reserve also aims to demonstrate that careers in the environment are not limited to scientific roles alone. Céline Frémaux, curator of the Saint-Martin National Nature Reserve, points out that the organisation encompasses roles in nature monitoring, environmental education, conservation promotion, as well as administrative positions. For example, young people with a background in youth work, whether qualified or currently training for the BAFA, could find a role in the environmental education initiatives run by the AGRNSM.
This partnership also serves a broader objective of opening up new career opportunities in the region, centred on the blue economy and the environment. Caroline Rodrigues points out that around 750 young people aged 16 to 25, who have left the school system and are neither in employment nor in training, are currently supported by the Saint-Martin Local Mission. Among them may well be the future guardians of Saint-Martin’s natural heritage.
