Grand Case: the airport and the Nature Reserve sign an agreement on biodiversity
On Wednesday 20 May, the operator of Grand-Case Airport, Edeis, and the Association for the Management of the Saint Martin Nature Reserve (AGRNSM) signed a partnership agreement. This symbolic gesture aims to strengthen efforts to preserve natural habitats and raise public awareness of these issues.
Whilst at first glance an airport might not seem like the ideal partner for an organisation dedicated to environmental protection, Edeis nevertheless affirms its commitment to protecting the local natural heritage. “Our ambition is clear: to raise awareness amongst our staff, our passengers and younger generations of the richness and fragility of Saint Martin’s biodiversity,” explains Pascal Marcoux, director of Grand Case Airport. The annual agreement between Edeis and the AGRNSM formalises a cooperation that is already underway between the two organisations.
“The idea is to cement this link between the nature reserve and Grand Case Airport,” says Anne-Karine Fleming, president of the Nature Reserve Management Association. Upcoming initiatives include eco-volunteer projects, ecological restoration schemes and efforts to combat invasive species, as well as the creation of a wildlife observation platform at the airport.
Raising staff awareness
On 30 June, an inaugural event will bring the two parties together. On the agenda is an outing to Tintamarre Islet. Around twenty Edeis staff members will take part in a team-building day featuring a site visit organised by the Nature Reserve. This is a way of raising employees’ awareness of the fragility of their local environment. Through this agreement, Grand Case Airport is also committed to raising awareness among travellers. Throughout May, the departure and arrival halls will host an exhibition on Saint Martin’s wildlife.
The Aéro Biodiversité label
“This collaboration is fully in line with the Aéro Biodiversité certification process undertaken by the airport,” explains Pascal Marcoux. Awarded by the eponymous association and created in 2021, this label is based on the assessment of criteria reflecting the airport’s commitment to taking biodiversity into account at its facility. While the airport achieved Level 1 in January 2026, it hopes to soon step up a gear and reach Level 3 thanks to the agreement signed with ARGNSM. Far from being a mere trophy, this certification meets the specifications of the “public service delegation contract, which mentions the preservation of biodiversity and the environment as a whole”, explains Sabrina Charville, Director of Quality and Sustainable Development at Edeis. It therefore enables the airport operator to demonstrate in concrete terms that it is fulfilling the environmental commitments set out in its contract with the state.
