un entire month of special events and extraordinary openings to immerse yourself in the nature of Italy. The WWF Oasis Days are back from 22 April to 21 May. The perfect opportunity to discover the places that, for over 50 years, have been at the center of the association’s largest conservation project. And they allow us to discover the wonder of nature in Italy.
The WWF Oasis protect nature in Italy
Starting from the historic Oasis of Lake Burano in Tuscany. Inaugurated in 1967 when WWF Italy had been established for a few months. With a decision of the then National Council, the hunting rights of the area were acquired to make it a Bird Protection Oasis. Today the Oases are over 100protect more than 30 thousand hectares of landare visited by more than 500 thousand peopleand offer work to more than 150 people including employees and young people of the cooperatives.
From the majestic Gole del Sagittario in Abruzzo to the alpine meadows of Valtrigona in Trentino, up to the pristine and wild coast of Torre Salsa in Sicily. All WWF Oases play a central role in defending thousands of animal and plant species, providing education in nature and promoting truly sustainable development.
WWF Oasis Days, 5 weekends of initiatives
Over five weekends, there are dozens of initiatives to get to know them (The scheduled events, on the WWF website). Starting, of course, with“Earth Day”, the Earth Day, April 22, which kicks off the month of the Oases. To celebrate it, extraordinary openings and guided tours are planned. The State Nature Reserve and WWF Oasis “Cratere degli Astroni” for example, will host a tour to discover the Astroni forest (Naples) which is cultural and gastronomic, complete with a tasting of wines of sustainable and local production.
Yoga, birdwatching and children’s workshops
Among the various initiatives scheduled, we point out the visit on 13 May to the urban oasis of Levadina: just 7 km from the Milan Cathedral. Outdoor yoga lessons: April 22nd at the Bolgheri Padule Oasis (LI), May 13th at the Valpredina Oasis (BG) and May 21st at the Gole del Sagittario Nature Reserve and Oasis (AQ). The activities focused on animals: from the birdwatching organized in Policoro (MT) on 14 May, to the meeting with the fauna of the wetland area of the Timavo river (Marine Protected Area of Miramare, TS) on 30 April.
There is no shortage of activities for children in close contact with nature. On May 7, the Oasi Ripa Bianca di Jesi (AN) will host a bird feeder workshop, on May 21 young visitors will discover the world of pollinators by creating flower seed bombs.
For organic and zero kilometer food
Finally, during this month, various Oasis will also host events related to “Biologico è… Natura!”, the project born from the collaboration between WWF Italy and FederBio to support organic agriculture as a means of conservation for the environment and to spread the culture of healthy food at zero kilometer. Initiatives are scheduled for 7 May in the Oasis of Macchiagrande (RM), 20 May in the Oasis of Pian Sant’Angelo (VT) and Lago di Serranella (CH), 21 May at the Oasi Le Cesine (LE).
“Value of nature”, the (economic) benefits for man
Protecting nature is important to guarantee us a future on the planet. But the effects of thevalue nature” are much more concrete and immediate than we often think. Every year, as indicated by the OECD, the planet’s natural systems provide benefits to mankind (ecosystem services) valued at between 125 and 140 trillion dollars, one and a half times the global Gross Domestic Product.
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