Since 2020, Paris has invested 110 million euros in public space greening projects. The 20th arrondissement is doing its part with over 10,000 trees planted between 2020 and 2026. To enhance the presence of nature in the city, the capital is launching its new Biodiversity Plan 2024-2030. Get involved!
Participate in the online consultation!
Until January 2024, we are collecting your contributions to preserve our city’s nature. We explain the process here and you can respond to the questionnaire at decider.paris.fr
What is the Biodiversity Plan?
To curb biodiversity loss and strengthen nature in our city, the City has developed a complementary Biodiversity Plan since 2011, and again in 2018, along with the Climate Plan and other strategic plans of the City of Paris. This plan determines the major directions and actions to be implemented.
Video review of the Biodiversity Plan 2018-2024
Map of biodiversity enhancements
Throughout Paris, developments have been made for biodiversity. Check out our interactive map to discover them.
Contribute to the new Biodiversity Plan 2024-2030
As part of the development of the next Biodiversity Plan 2024-2030, a wide consultation process is being conducted until the end of January 2024.
To share your ideas and priorities on the subject of biodiversity in Paris, you can:
Biodiversity in the 20th arrondissement
More trees in the 20th arrondissement
In the district, 237 trees and shrubs have been planted or replaced since November 2022, totaling over 4,000 since the start of the mandate. 18 streets leading to schools have been partially or completely given back to pedestrians. Streets where planting in the ground was possible now have large tree-lined beds, like Pierre-Foncin and Le Vau streets.
Plantations favored by residents of the 20th arrondissement
The reclamation of nature in spaces historically dedicated to asphalt and cars is favored by residents. Out of 419 ideas submitted during the “Embellish your Neighborhood” consultations, 116 were related to greening. In addition, neighborhood councils participated in identifying plots, included in the new bioclimatic Local Urban Plan, as future green spaces.
Two major parks to come in the 20th arrondissement
A sparrow neighborhood in the 20th arrondissement
More than 70% of sparrows have deserted Paris in recent years, according to the Bird Protection League (LPO). This plague now affects all major European cities. To repopulate its streets with sparrows, Paris is implementing an unprecedented conservation plan: the Sparrow Neighborhoods. The goal of a Sparrow Neighborhood is to mobilize an entire neighborhood for the conservation of this emblematic bird.
After the test of the first edition, the Sparrow Neighborhood program is being renewed. 5 new districts are concerned, including the 20th arrondissement. As in the first edition, the objective is to implement elements necessary for the development of fragile sparrow colonies identified by the LPO, by reinforcing or replacing cavities with nest boxes, greening nearby areas, and ensuring participatory and local population monitoring.
Parks and gardens in the 20th arrondissement rich in fauna and flora
Père-Lachaise Cemetery, the largest green space within the city
With its 43 hectares, Père-Lachaise Cemetery is currently the largest green space within the city. It houses a great biodiversity: 80 bird species including Willow Warblers, Blackbirds, Eurasian Sparrowhawks, 400 species of trees and shrubs, and numerous insects, mosses, and lichens. Not lit at night, the cemetery provides a dark area where diurnal species can rest undisturbed and nocturnal species, such as Common Pipistrelles, can hunt and reproduce.
Pierre Emmanuel Garden, a natural garden
This garden has the particularity of hosting indigenous plants, albeit planted and arranged for aesthetic purposes. These wild plants, often unknown today, used to thrive when the countryside was still in Paris.
“Biological” gardening techniques help maintain balance: respecting vegetation cycles, conserving litter, minimal pruning, no chemical treatments, and reduced mowing. The meadow is only mowed two or three times a year! As soon as you enter, you feel a sense of space. In the center, a wide mineral alley leads to a shaded wood.
Only bird songs are audible here, far from the hustle and bustle of the street. The canopy of oaks, field maples, coppery-barked wild cherries, and hazel trees provide shelter for shade and understory plants such as ferns, bellflowers, and pastel-colored herb-Robert geraniums.
One of the alleys leads down to a sunlit, sunken pond. It is flown over by red dragonflies fluttering between the shimmering and fluffy catkins of the crack willow and the white osier. The zigzagging movements of pond skaters barely touch the clear surface, pierced by the pink spikes of the meadowsweet or the round and fragrant leaves of water mint.
Ponds in the gardens of the 20th arrondissement
A vegetated pond is attractive to many species, so it is diverse and has a good ecological balance that prevents mosquito infestations. Predators of adult mosquitoes and their larvae will naturally feed on them, such as bats, insectivorous birds, frogs, and dragonflies. Therefore, there is no need to introduce animals into a pond to prevent a mosquito invasion.
Ponds have great ecological importance and are essential components of the “blue network.” In cities, their multiplication facilitates the movement of species to other aquatic environments, such as rivers and ponds.
The Petite Ceinture, 0.2km of ecological promenade between Rue des Couronnes and Rue de Ménilmontant
Nestled in a valley and delimited by two tunnels, this promenade has been developed to accommodate the public while respecting the existing heritage. The vegetation that has spontaneously settled there has been preserved. It is particularly rich in biodiversity. This vegetation has colonized the slopes, ballast, bridges, and walls, forming different plant layers where many animal species nest. To avoid disturbing the biological rhythm of animals (bird nesting, etc.), the site is closed at night and maintenance is adapted.
Highest biodiversity: According to inventories carried out in recent years, this section is home to about a hundred animal species such as wall lizards, blackbirds, and wrens. For plants, approximately 140 species have been recorded. This flora provides favorable habitats for fauna, such as wastelands, climbing plants, and brambles, which are sought after by animal species that appreciate both the food they produce and the refuge they offer.
