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On October 10, 2026, the Nicole Aussedat Nature Reserve in Saint Barthélemy will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Leading up to this milestone, the Territorial Environment Agency, which is responsible for managing the Reserve, will organize and offer various events for the residents of Saint Barth, giving them the opportunity to discover or rediscover these protected sites. This series of initiatives will take various forms, including guided tours such as the one organized on Saturday, January 31, on Colombier Beach.
Anaïs Coulon set the meeting time for 8:30 a.m. on Colombier Beach. Nevertheless, thirteen people were present at the appointed time to be welcomed by the doctoral student in geography, who specializes in natural risk management. Anaïs Coulon is conducting a study on the evolution of the coastline in Saint-Barthélemy as part of a thesis on the future of the island's coastline. Her work includes the consequences of collecting sargassum on beaches.
For an hour, the scientist explained to visitors how a beach works in general, and the Colombier site in particular. "This beach is backed by a cliff," the doctoral student points out. "So it has a completely different dynamic from those of Saint-Jean or Flamands, for example. It is the only "backed" beach on the island. It suffered greatly during Hurricane Luis (in September 1995, editor's note). There are also goats that devour the vegetation, leaving the soil bare and causing runoff that carries sediment into the water whenever there is rainfall. This is harmful to the seagrass beds, as they do not like turbidity. In many ways, the Colombier site is really interesting." In fact, visitors did not hesitate to ask the doctoral student questions.
The visit was also an opportunity to present the restoration project led by the Regional Environmental Agency on three beaches on the island, including Colombier. "With solutions based on nature itself," emphasizes Anaïs Coulon. In particular, to revegetate the site. As a first step, stakes and fences were installed to retain the sand and encourage its natural accumulation. This operation was carried out in December with the help of the Island Nature Experience (INE) association. Nearly 250 meters of fences are to be planted. Planting sessions will follow. "Our plan is to get the island's residents involved," explains Anaïs Coulon. Local residents will be invited to take part in the replanting in Colombier, Flamands, and Saline.
The ATE will soon announce new events to which the public will be invited to participate. In the meantime, there is plenty to learn and enjoy until October 10.
