- The Association :

The Association de Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle de Roque-Haute (AGRN.RH) protects and manages the very rare temporary Mediterranean ponds in the Reserve with financial aid from the state and local administrative bodies. It was created on 30 May 1985, 10 years after the Reserve itself, so that this protected area and its flora and fauna could be properly managed. It is guided by the Consultative Committee, which is chaired by the Prefect (government administrator of the Hérault département), and composed of the principle actors in and users of the Reserve.
The French government delegates the responsibility for running the Reserve to the Association by means of tri-annual contracts.
Its president : André Diguet

- Our objectives :

1) Protecting the exceedingly rare amphibious ferns : Isoetes setacea and isoetes duriaei, Marsilea strigosa, and Pilularia minuta, and saving their fragile natural habitat : the temporary ponds
2) Preserving ecological diversity on the site (of both the species present and the range of habitats)
3) Raising public awareness on the need for environmental protection and management
4) Encouraging scientific research on the site

- Membership :

Our members represent a wide range of conservation-related interests, people concerned with preserving the quality of their surroundings, simple nature-lovers, associations set up to protect the natural world (in both France and the United Kingdom), the owners of the site, naturalists, biologists and other scientists, volunteers, and invited representatives of administrative and local bodies with an on-going interest in the Reserve :
- the local councils of Portiragnes and Vias in whose territory the site is located,
- the Pays d'Agde district council,
- the Hérault council (département) (corresponding to a UK county council),
- the Languedoc- Roussillon Regional Directorate for the Environment (DIREN.LR)
- the national Hunting and Wild Animal Board ('Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage - ONCFS)
- the Hunters' Federation (Fédération des Chasseurs - FDC)

- The Scientific Committee :

Created in May 1990, this Committee is charged with assisting the Association with technical and other expertise. It achieves this by:
- promoting research to ensure the survival of the Reserve's protected species as well as their habitats and the conservation of its biodiversity ;
- guiding the management of the Reserve via proposals for managing the natural habitat ;
- publicising the Reserve among the scientific community ;
Its members are research graduates and scientists, for example : botanists, ecologists, entomologists, hydrobiologists, zoologists, geologists and archaeologists. Each of them concentrates on one facet of the Reserve's rich heritage.
Scientists, whether amateur or professional, who would like to be on this committee, are welcome to apply to the Association.

- The Teaching Committee :

The AGRN.RH has the legal status of an association under the 1901 law (similar to a UK charity). As such, it has been recognized by the Ministry of Education as an association complementing the national educational system. Since 1998, the Teaching Committee has been assisting and supporting the AGRN.RH in preparing teaching aids for the Reserve. It is composed of teachers, group leaders and volunteers. Membership is free to anyone who would like to help the Association in making young people more aware of the need for safeguarding the environment. Simply apply to the Association if you would like to join this Committee.

- Our Management Team :

The AGRN.RH has 4 salaried employees to run the Reserve :
Aude Doumenge (guard-technician)
Sandrine Genthon (communications and information officer)
François Ruchon (scientific surveys officer)
Hassan Souheil (curator)
For more information

- Becoming a member :

Would you like to help in protecting the superb Roque-Haute Nature Reserve and its unique flora, in the Agde countryside?
Then join the AGRN.RH ! In return, you will :
- be kept regularly informed of what the Association is doing and what is happening at the site, by means of our information bulletin La Lettre de Roque-Haute
- be able to attend and vote at General Assemblies
- be invited to all the events organized by the Association
- be able to use the Reserve's reference library
- get discounts on the booklets, brochures, postcards, etc. sold by the Association.

Subscriptions :
- individuals : 8,38 € (includes the annual subscription to the newsletter)
- organizations, institutions etc.: 30,50 €. (You will receive the newsletter free of charge.) Please send a copy of your articles of association when you first send your membership request.
Print out the membership form below, complete it and send it to us with a cheque for the relevant sum, made out to the AGRN.RH

CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE MEMBERSHIP FORM!!!

Would you like more information ? Our leaflet "The AGRN.RH" will be sent to you on request.

- Contacts :

Association de Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle de Roque-Haute (AGRN.RH)
Maison de la Réserve - 1 rue de la Tour - 34420 Portiragnes (France)
Tel. / fax : 0033 (0)4 67 90 81 16
roque.haute@espaces-naturels.fr