Days of the WWF oases: discovering the paradises of biodiversity

Spring is back and with it, also this year, from 22 April to 21 May they come back “WWF Oasis Days”: a month of special events and extraordinary openings to immerse yourself in the nature of Italy. In addition to being wonderful places, the Oasis have been the largest conservation project of the WWF in Italy, for over 50 years: from the historic Oasis of Lake Burano in Tuscany to the majestic Sagittarius Gorges in Abruzzo, come on alpine meadows of Valtrigona in Trentino 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. And they all have a special call to answer over a ben five weekendswith dozens of initiatives.

The WWF Oasis are a heritage of biodiversity which bears witness to how important the protection of nature is to guarantee us a future on the planet: the message is to adopt an approach at all levels positive-natures to protect what’s left of biodiversityreconnect what has been fragmented and regenerate what has been destroyed or degraded.

In the report combined with the ReNature Campaign, the WWF recalled the value nature indicated by the OECD: every year 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, and some studies Nature4Climate (a coalition that includes UNEP, UNDP and WWF) state that for every dollar spent in renaturation there would be an economic return of at least 9 dollars and in some cases up to 30. Without counting the non-economic and intangible values ​​essential for our very survival , such as the production of the oxygen we breathe.

The month of “Oasis Days” will start in conjunction withEarth Daythe Earth Day of April 22, and just to celebrate the day some Oases have decided to celebrate this date with extraordinary openings and guided tours. The State Nature Reserve and WWF Oasis Astroni Crater for example, it will host a double cultural and gastronomic tour that will accompany visitors to discover the Astroni forest (Naples) with a tasting of sustainable and locally produced wines.

During this month, many other oases will open their doors to the public by organizing guided tours dedicated to biodiversity and nature. Among the various visits, there are those of 13 May at theUrban oasis of Levadinajust 7 km from the Duomo of Milan, and on 21 May at theOasis of the Bora (VR), where in addition to guided tours there will be dissemination and educational activities on the biodiversity of the Oasis.

In the month dedicated to the Oasis, you will also have the opportunity to reconnect with nature and experience moments of relaxation and well-being through outdoor yoga classes. For example, on April 22 atPadule Oasis of Bolgheri (LI) it will be possible to participate in a real yoga session, as well as on May 13th at theOasis of Valpredina (BG) and on May 21 at Gole del Sagittario Nature Reserve and Oasis (AQ).

There will also be many activities dedicated to animal lovers. TO Policoro (MT), a unique Birdwatching experience will take place on May 14th to admire the avifauna of the beautiful coasts of the Metaponto area. Not far from the Oasis and Marine Protected Area of ​​Miramare (TS), however, on 30 April it will be possible to observe the fauna of the wetland area of ​​the Timavo river through a visit with a naturalistic guide and an illustrator, for an experience between art and science.

A rich program also for the little ones; in many Oasis, in fact, there will be activities for children in close contact with nature. Among many examples, theRipa Bianca Oasis of Jesi (AN) will host playful-creative workshops: the first appointment will be on May 7, with a bird feeder workshop, while on May 21, young visitors will discover the world of pollinators by creating flower seed bombs.

Finally, during this month, several Oasis will also host events related to “Organic is… Nature!”the project born from the collaboration between WWF Italy and FederBio to support thebiological agriculture as a means of preserving the environment and spreading the culture of healthy food at zero kilometre. Initiatives scheduled for May 7 in theMacchiagrande Oasis (RM), on 20 May in the Oasis of Pian Sant’Angelo (VT) and Serranelle lake (CH), on 21 May at the Le Cesine Oasis (LE).