From the Calabria Region a 1.6 million grant to Serre Park to armor biodiversity and rare habitats.
The Region of Calabria has allocated a major funding of 1.6 million euros for the Serre Regional Natural Park, a strategic investment entirely dedicated to the protection of biodiversity, the preservation of habitats of naturalistic value and the conservation of animal and plant species of community interest.
The financial heart of the operation consists of a first tranche of 1.2 million euros from the FSC 2021-2027 structural funds. This resource is part of the Cohesion Agreement signed with the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, and responds directly to the actions provided for in the National Restoration Plan in implementation of European regulations. Added to this base are additional resources, drawn from the regional programming POR Calabria 2021/2027, intended to strengthen supervision and control services and monitoring of SACs. Specifically, 250 thousand euros will be used for scientific monitoring activities of Special Areas of Conservation, while 140 thousand euros will be used to structure and support the valuable field work of Volunteer Ecological Guards.
Operationally, the project will enable the launch of a vast campaign to survey and protect local fauna protected by the European Habitats Directive. Prominent among the species being monitored are the Apennine ululon (Bombina pachypus), the wild cat (Felis silvestris), and several populations of saproxylic beetles. Through health analyses, accurate censuses, and the study of wildlife densities, the Park Authority aims to accurately map the presence of these animals in Natura 2000 sites, providing for the restoration of degraded habitats and targeted species reintroduction efforts if necessary.
A very special attention will also be paid to flora and land safety. A significant part of the budget will in fact be invested in a plan to safeguard the Milo creek, the habitat of choice for Woodwardia radicans, a very rare protected giant fern. In this area, technicians will intervene with delicate cleaning works, specially designed not to alter the delicate local microclimate. The watercourse will also be protected by hydrogeological risk mitigation and naturalistic engineering works. At the same time, the surrounding paths will be restored through wood and stone channeling, the laying of stabilized earthen paving, and the installation of new information signage.
Overall, this synergy of national and European funding is a breath of fresh air for the Serre protected area, which thus sees its ability to guard, study and defend a unique natural heritage in Calabria greatly strengthened.
“This is funding of extraordinary importance, marking a turning point not only for our Park but for the entire regional environmental strategy. The Region of Calabria, through the programming of FSC 2021-2027 funds and the historic Cohesion Agreement, demonstrates in fact that it considers the Serre Park a crucial junction and an irreplaceable garrison for the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable development of the territory. This massive allocation is complemented by the valuable resources of the POR Calabria earmarked for Special Areas of Conservation and Voluntary Ecological Guards: a complete package that will allow us to raise the standards of control, study and care of our protected area,” says the Park’s Extraordinary Commissioner, Francesco Costantino.
“The preservation of ecosystems is not a mere bureaucratic fulfillment, but a precise cultural and political choice oriented toward the future. Investing in biodiversity means protecting the soul and deep identity of Calabria, improving the quality of the environment and laying the foundations for a mature and conscious nature tourism. For this strong vision of development, I would like to express heartfelt thanks to the President of the Region, Roberto Occhiuto, the Council and the Environment Department. Their constant and concrete support testifies to an extraordinary institutional sensitivity toward our protected areas,” adds Commissioner Costantino.
“The project will make it possible to initiate targeted study, monitoring and conservation activities, which are essential to learn more about the status of protected species and to plan effective interventions. The actions planned in Natura 2000 sites and along the Milo creek represent an important step to strengthen active habitat management and to intervene with tools consistent with the conservation goals of the protected area,” highlights Park Director Francesco Maria Pititto.
“The goal is to combine protection, prevention and enhancement, a central element of the Park’s institutional mission,” adds Director Pititto.
Thanks to these funds, the Serre Park accelerates the pace and projects itself into the future of ecological transition. The Authority establishes itself as a real driver of conservation policies in Calabria, demonstrating how the active protection of habitats, protected species and scenic beauty can translate into a concrete resource for the entire territory.