Natural site of Vougy

25 hectares of alluvial deposits along the banks of the Arve are protected: the natural site of Vougy.

The islands of Vougy are made up of a group of five units: areas of running water stagnant water, softwood forests, hardwood forests and dry terraces. hardwood forests and dry terraces. Four of these habitats are of of Community interest, two of which have priority status: gallery forests of willow and white alder, and ash and alder forests of the and alder forests of medio-European rivers, considered to be a single same habitat of priority Community interest, arctic-alpine riparian turf with Typha, also a priority habitat, characterized by fine silt soils deposited by the Arve River, composed mainly composed of pioneer species such as Petite Massette, and Calamagrostide faux roseau, alluvial scrubland, particularly rich in species, mullein meadows, which are home to Ophioglossa vulgaris in the wettest terraces. Asters, with its long-standing commitment to the site, is the key player in its management. However, management is in line with the recommendations of the Natura 2000 site's Objective Document. Part of the department's Espaces Naturels Sensibles network, this alluvial zone has been managed since 1988 by Asters, Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels de Haute-Savoie. The aim is to preserve the local flora and fauna. These include goosander (a fish-eating duck), kingfisher, wagtail (a small wading bird), red warbler, great crested grebe and grey heron.Many waterfowl take refuge here in winter, including scaups and scaups (diving ducks). There are also 7 species of bat and 12 species of dragonfly. Last but not least, the beaver, a protected species in France, is an emblematic animal of the site, albeit a very discreet one. In terms of flora, the site preserves the alluvial white alder forest, the protected cattail and numerous orchids such as the bumblebee ophrys.