To mark the start of 2026 and the 60th anniversary of the National Forest Service (ONF), Valérie Metrich-Hecquet, the agency’s director general, chose Martinique as her first destination. From January 19 to 21, a national delegation traveled across the island to meet with staff, engage with local institutions, and highlight the projects and concrete actions underway to protect the territory’s forests and natural areas.
This year, Martinique was the first stop on a field tour led by the General Directorate of the National Forest Service. From January 19 to 21, 2026, Valérie Metrich-Hecquet, Director General of the ONF, visited the island with a national delegation. This was a symbolic choice, as the visit took place at the very beginning of the year and under special circumstances: the public agency is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
This visit, organized jointly by the ONF’s Martinique regional office and the Social and Economic Committee (CSE), had a simple goal: to strengthen the General Directorate’s presence on the ground, meet with staff and partners, and observe firsthand the initiatives being carried out to promote the sustainable management of Martinique’s forests and natural areas.
Three days of discussions with staff and partners
Over the course of three days, there were numerous discussions with the ONF teams in Martinique, who work daily on very concrete missions: protecting natural habitats, forest management, and the enhancement of natural areas, as well as supporting public policies related to biodiversity, natural hazard prevention, and climate change adaptation.
This visit also served as a reminder of a reality that is often overlooked: in Martinique, forestry issues are not limited to the forest “itself.” They directly affect the security of the territory, the preservation of natural resources, the attractiveness of local sites, and fragile environmental balances, particularly in coastal areas and mountainous regions.
Social Dialogue: A Highlight of the Visit
One of the highlights of this trip was dedicated to social dialogue. A meeting attended by the entire staff was held at the Karibea Squash Hotel. The goal was to provide an opportunity for discussion about the national commitments for 2026 and the resources planned to implement them.
During this meeting, senior management also addressed the labor tensions that marked the year 2025, while reaffirming its commitment to “support the teams” in their work and to recognize the dedication of frontline staff.
Institutions: The Expansion of the Pitons du Carbet at the Center of Discussions
The national delegation also met with several institutional officials. It was received by Serge Letchimy, president of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique, as well as by Fernand Odonnat, executive councilor in charge of land-use planning.
These discussions made it possible, in particular, to reaffirm a shared priority: finalizing the expansion of the Pitons du Carbet Integral Biological Reserve, as part of the site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is a key issue not only for the protection of biodiversity but also for ensuring consistency in Martinique’s commitments regarding its natural heritage.
Another official engagement: a meeting with the prefect of Martinique, Étienne Desplanques, focused on the government’s priorities regarding forestry and environmental policies.
Cœur Bouliki, Mount Pelée, Mangles: iconic sites on the itinerary
Beyond the meetings, the visit was structured around on-the-ground activities, providing direct exposure to the realities of life in Martinique. Several iconic sites were included in the itinerary, including:
Bouliki Heart, one of the main visitor centers in the forest,
Mount Pelée, as part of the core area of the UNESCO property,
Anse Charpentier,
Le Marigot,
Les Mangles, involved in reforestation and ecological compensation projects.
At each stage, the delegation met with staff directly involved in the project, as well as with institutional and technical partners working alongside the ONF.
Concrete actions already underway in the region
The press release highlights several key initiatives and tangible results, demonstrating that forest management is not an abstract concept but rather a daily endeavor involving measurable actions.
Reforest using native species. Between 2024 and 2025, the ONF planted nearly 100,000 m² of forest, involving some 30 native forest species, as part of the program France 2030 funded by the government. A plantation established at the Marigot, in a coastal national forest, helped illustrate the dynamics, with a reported success rate of 90 %.
Track changes in forests over time. The ONF has implemented 12 permanent plots from 2,500 m² in the forest. These “forest plots,” which are monitored on a regular basis, are used to observe the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems. More than 1,000 trees have been identified and will be monitored.
Control invasive species. The organization is also continuing its efforts to combat the spread of invasive alien species, which threaten native species. To limit their introduction into sensitive habitats, four biosafety stations allow hikers to remove dirt from their shoes before entering the Integral Biological Reserve and the core of the UNESCO site. Studies have shown that, in the collected dirt, 42 % of the species are exotic, which confirms the usefulness of these devices.
Fire Prevention: A Risk That Has Now Been Identified. The ONF also reports that it has identified an emerging risk related to wildfires and has begun developing a Forest Fire Protection Plan. The visit also highlighted the collaborative efforts underway since 2025 to prevent and protect forests from fires, in partnership with the SDIS.
A collective effort driven by numerous partners
As the discussion progressed, one point became clear: sustainable forest management in Martinique relies on a collective effort. The municipalities of Saint Joseph and Sainte-Marie are listed among the partners, alongside the CTM, as well as several major institutions: the DAAF, the Martinique Regional Nature Park, the’ADEME, the’French Office for Biodiversity, the Martinique National Botanical Conservatory, or even the Major Seaport.
The ONF thus emphasizes the need to work collaboratively to address the country’s environmental, social, and regional challenges.
A visit that is part of a broader tour
Through this first event of the year in Martinique, the ONF’s senior management reaffirms its commitment to the role the public agency has played in the territory for six decades, while emphasizing the continuity of its initiatives and its determination to strengthen the presence of its teams in the field.
The visit to Martinique is part of a broader tour of the Caribbean taking place from January 19 to 24, 2026, with a second stop in Guadeloupe.
Philippe Pied
