News from the Italian Parks

A positive assessment of the project and its related actions emerged from the monthly meeting of the "Praterie" team which took place on the 26th of September. As far as the Action A3 - Analysis of the grazing regulations (as the Actions A1 ad A2 have been positively accomplished) - is concerned, on the 8th of October the presentation of the results of such analysis - which is preparatory for the Action C3 on the concertation activities for grazing harmonization - has been planned by the advisor in charge Prof. Roggero.

The Action A4 - Creation of a geographical and photographical database on the use of the surfaces is going on too. A first platform has been created in order to produce reports directed to the different intervention modalities together with a cartography of the project area which highlights the intervention places: water points, paths, small lakes.

Regarding the Action A6 - Reconnaissance of the drinking troughs to be restored - 5 springs were monitored in the area of Colle Spugna, Monte Jenca and Stabbiata. The veterinarians in charge of the Action A5 - Assessment of the management problems - communicated to their colleagues the data concerning the water needs expressed by farmers through the surveys. Such data will be useful for the implementation of the Action C1 - distribution of drinking troughs.

Concerning the Action C2 - Fostering homogeneous grazing practices - following the experimental preparation of mobile structures for lambs in some places of the upland of Campo Imperatore, a meeting with the farmers of the Park took place on the 18th of September, during which 32 declaration of interest in the constant use of the same structures were registered. This means that the spread of such best practices already determines real results.

Concerning the Action C3 - concertation activities for the harmonization of the grazing practices - the procedures regarding the professional task of the 4 facilitators, one coordinator for the participatory process and two professional advices have been completed with the University of L'Aquila and Perugia for the scientific and legal validation of the process. On the 31st of October the first general workshop with all the stakeholders of the protected area will take place at the Cultural Center of Isola del Gran Sasso. To organize the agenda of the meetings the "Praterie" team, the facilitators and the scientific advisors met on the 20th of September.

Regarding the Action C4 - Control of the tourist flows - the grasslands near the Astronomical Observatory in Campo Imperatore have been enclosed in order to stop the cars from entering the area. For the same reason the parking area of Fonte Macina has been delimited.

Regarding the "Action E2 - Information and Services Center" a first training seminar for the Help Desks' operators took place on the 10th of September. On that occasion contacts with the Local Governments in charge of each territory have been established in order to officially present such services to the local Authorities and to the main stakeholders.

The first presentation, organized by the municipality of L'Aquila is planned on the 4th of October at 5.00 pm, at the Palazzetto dei Nobili.