The island of Porquerolles has the particularity of housing a botanical conservatory created in 1979 by ministerial decree, eight years after its acquisition by the French State. It is managed by Port-Cros National Park in agreement with the Ministry of Environment. It covers approximately 432 acres (175 ha), corresponding to the surface of the agricultural domain developed by François Joseph Fournier at the beginning of the 20th century. Focused on Mediterranean varieties, the conservatory aims to protect the genetic resources of wild and cultivated plants as well as experimental and promotional crops (orchards, ancient plants, Mediterranean arboretum). It also plays an educational role in informing the public.