www.ermesambiente.it/parchi Life in the Protected Areas The hill The Po Delta The low mountains and hills are like a rich mosaic of environments and landscapes that contain a good share The Po Delta is the the most extensive system of wetlands in Italy, of regional biodiversity: hardwood forests, meadows, shrubs and cultivated fields; rocky cliffs, gullies and gypsum where you can still feel the atmosphere of the great lonely spaces and sa- outcrops. vour the slow pace of the relationship between man and nature that has 14 nature reserves nature 14 and and The High Apennines This is the part of the regional territory where the relationship between human activities and nature is most intense helped shape an area in constant evolution. 17 parks 17 Discover it in in it Discover and where there is an important and well-known historical patrimony, made of archaeological sites, castles, The regional park protects the southern sector of today’s deltaic area, while The Apennines represent the backbone of the region, topped by Mount churches, monasteries, medieval villages and stately homes. There are also remains that bear witness to minor the rest of it falls within the Venetian regional park of the same name. Cimone (2165 m) in Modena. These mountain environments consist of aspects of life in the past: small stone villages, chestnuts dryers, mills and majesty. Sand-banks, reed beds, coastal lagoons, pine forests, flooded forests, brack- As of today, the Protected Nature Areas established in Emilia- blueberry heaths, meadows and pastures, vast hardwood and coniferous There are several protected areas that have been established since the ‘80s in the hills in order to protect both the ish valleys and freshwater wetlands form a natural heritage of European Romagna consist of: 2 national parks, 1 interregional park, 14 trees forests, lakes and peat-bogs. The wolf and the Golden Eagle are the best preserved and the most endangered regional particularities. importance. regional parks and 14 nature reserves. Together with sites of the emblem species of these territories, whose return was certainly encour- First is the Parco regionale dei Boschi di Carrega in the Parma area, which hosts the splendid “Casino dei Boschi”, The other invaluable wealth of the delta is represented by its wonderful Natura 2000 Network they represent a true system of protected aged by the abundance of prey, especially ungulates. There is no lack of originally a summer resort and hunting lodge. The most recently formed park is the Parco regionale del Trebbia in monuments, such as the Este Castle of Mesola, the Romanesque Abbey of natural heritage which extends over nearly 300,000 hectares, other rare species such as the Snow Vole, a small mammal that is a true the foothills and plains of the Piacenza area. Pomposa, the Etruscan Necropolis of Spina, the lagoon city of Comacchio equivalent to about 13% of the regional surface area. relic of the Ice Age, the Fire Salamander, the Alpine Newt, the Apennine It protects the final stretch of the Trebbia River up to its confluence with the Po River. Monte Sole, in the Bologna and the Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe with its famous mosaics. Stream Frog, the European Common Frog among the amphibians, and area, is the region’s only history park. It combines a natural environment of great value with the keeping of evidence PIACENZA rare butterflies such as the Parnassius apollo and the Parnassius mne- National parks Sillara lakes of the massacres of 1944. The Abbey of Pomposa mosyne. There are cultural remnants as well: ancient villages, churches and These are areas with ecosystems, biological communities, geo- Just outside Bologna, you may discover the Parco regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa, with morphological and geological formations whose scientific, aes- hermitages bear witness to the history of this territory, once densely popu- FERRARA its spectacular karst landscape made of sinkholes, blind valleys and caves. With its large number of birds (which include very rare species of great natu- lated and intensely PARMAused. The High Apennines territory is almost entirely ralistic relevance) the Parco Delta del Po stands among the most important thetic, cultural, educational and recreational value is of national LOMBARDIA VENETO and European importance. Two national parks are located in protected by national and regional parks as well as by sites belonging to European birdwatching sites. REGGIO PIEMONTE Emilia-Romagna: that of Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona the Natura 2000 Network. EMILIA Valbona The most remarkable sightings can be accomplished in spring and autumn, MODENA di Berceto e Campigna and that of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano. Both EMILIA - ROMAGNA at the peaks of migration. LIGURIA parks also extend into Tuscan territory. Langhirano The Kentish Plover, the Little Tern and the Oystercatcher nest in undis- Valbona di Berceto Parco regionale BOLOGNA turbed spots along the coast. The brackish marshes are important nesting Regional parks Valli del Cedra e del Parma TOSCANA MARCHE areas for the Spoonbill, the Sandwich Tern, the Mediterranean Gull and the These are territorial systems which are managed in a unified way in RAVENNALa Verna Castelnovo ne’ Monti Passo Great Egret. Next to fresh water pools one can spot large “garzaie” (places order to conserve and rehabilitate natural, scientific, historical, cul- della Cisa tural and landscape features that are of particular interest within the UMBRIA where herons nest in colonies). There, Little Egrets, Night Herons, Squacco Pavullo Parco regionale Passo Passo Borgo region, and in order to promote sustainable economic activities. del Cerreto Montefiorino nel Frignano Vena del Gesso Romagnola Tossignano Herons, Purple Herons and cormorants breed. The Po Delta also hosts true di Lagastrello Vergato Regional parks are established by regional law and are man- Parco nazionale Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Monghidoro Castel Brisighella international rarities such as the only colony of Pygmy Cormorants in West- Passo del Rio aged by a consortium of Municipalities, Provinces and Moun- delle Radici Castiglioni ern Europe, the only breeding pairs of Lesser crested Terns in the entire con- Ponte dei Pepoli FORLÌ tain Communities. della Venturina Passo della Raticosa tinent, and one of the very few European colonies of flamingos. Abetone Parco regionale The Mesola Castle Marradi Rocca S. Casciano CESENA Alto Appennino Modenese RIMINI Nature reserves Parco regionale Corno alle Scale Parco regionale These are areas of limited size. They are classified as general, if Laghi Suviana e Brasimone I. P. they protect the complexity and the functional mutual relation Passo between the natural environment of a territory and its historical del Muraglione Passo and cultural resources. They are classified as special if they pur- della Calla Bagno di Romagna Passo Published by sue the preservation of characteristic and peculiar features of dei Mandrioli Parco nazionale geological, geomorphological, botanical, zoological and forest Foreste Casentinesi, particular interest. The management of the reserves is entrusted Monte Falterona e Campigna to the Provinces. La Verna Regione Emilia-Romagna Along the ridge runs the “Alta via dei Parchi”, View of the Parco storico di Monte Sole Assessorato Ambiente e Sviluppo sostenibile Natura 2000 Network a picturesque itinerary between Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Liguria Servizio Parchi e Risorse forestali This is the system of European areas for the conservation of which crosses 2 national parks and 5 regional parks, making it possible to enjoy an area of great natural, scenic Via dei Mille 21 - 40121 Bologna biodiversity and the protection of a range of habitats, animal and historic interest. From Berceto, in the Parma area, to La Verna, in Tuscany, the “Alta via dei Parchi” is a journey Bike lane of the parks tel. 051 5276080 - fax 051 5276957 and plant species that are rare and endangered in the European of over 450 km composed of 29 stages. The route, which can be traveled on existing trails, is connected to the Thanks to the regional railways you can reach the main entrances to parks [email protected] Community territory. Following the Community “Habitats” and ancient pilgrims’ roads. A regional project, aimed at reorganizing the trail signage and restoring accomodation and and nature reserves by train, bringing a bicycle along. Both easy and chal- www.ermesambiente.it/parchi “Birds” Directives, in Emilia-Romagna 134 Sites of Community parking facilities, will be inaugurated in spring 2011. lenging bike routes, which wind through charming rural landscapes, de- Importance (SCI) have been designated for the protection of part from those entry points. Editors habitats and species and 81 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) to Taking bike paths, dirt paths, gravel forest tracks or long and straight em- Enzo Valbonesi, Monica Palazzini and Maria Vittoria Biondi protect rare birdlife. In our region 50% of the sites that belong Birdwatchers in action Spoonbill bankments covered by grass is a sustainable and pleasant way to spend to the Natura 2000 Network, coincide with parks and nature re- Contributors serves that have already been established. Snow and nature the day. One can stop occasionally to observe flying birds, explore the his- Servizio Geologico, Sismico e dei Suoli and A. Lizzani The mountain parks of Emilia-Romagna organize tours that combine sports toric buildings along the way, or to taste delicious culinary delights at with respect for nature. In addition to traditional downhill skiing you can restaurants or trattorias. Birdwatching practice ski touring and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh ex- Two cyclists at the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi Iconographic references Birdwatching fans ought to not miss the International Po Delta Birdwatching Fair, which cursions, or simply observe nature in a calm and friendly atmosphere. Photographs by takes place every year between late April and early May in Comacchio. On this occasion a A. Samaritani, A.L.