Natural oases, excursions and plogging: ideas for a May Day in nature

From guided visits to the WWF oases, to the Lipu sighting camps and anti-poaching camps in Tuscany and Sicily, to the Bike Festival on Lake Garda and the just inaugurated CAI routes. There are many initiatives organized on the occasion of Earth day 2023 and which continue in these days. Here are some tips for spending the next long weekend of First of May under the banner of sustainability and environmental protection. Without forgetting our green habits.

The 5 weekends of extraordinary openings in the protected oasis of the WWF in Italy, a heritage of biodiversity, will continue until 21 May. This year’s edition is richer than the Oasis Days: a whole month of special events to immerse yourself in nature. To celebrate Earth Day, April 22, they have decided to celebrate with extraordinary openings and guided tours, such as the State Nature Reserve and Oasis Astroni Crater (NA) which will host a double cultural and gastronomic tour that will accompany visitors to discover the Astroni forest.

But there will be many oases open. From the historic Oasis of Lake Burano in Tuscany to the majestic Gole del Sagittario in Abruzzo, from the alpine meadows of Valtrigona in Trentino to the cliffs of Torre Salsa in Sicily, all WWF Oasis play a central role in defending thousands of species, educating in nature and promoting truly sustainable development. And they all have a special call to respond to over five weekends, with dozens of initiatives to choose from.

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: a bird feeder workshop, while young visitors will discover the world of pollinators by creating flower seed bombs.

Keep Clean and Run. From the Marmolada glacier in Veneto, across Trentino and Lombardy to monitor the health of mountain lakes. An eco-marathon in seven stages, always with a bag to collect abandoned waste. The ninth edition of Keep Clean and Run for Peace (KCR), the eco-marathon run by Roberto Cavallo which launches the European awareness campaign Let’s clean up Europe (Lcue) to spread greater attention towards the whole continent littering, small rubbish abandoned on the street, encouraging citizens to take part in the change through positive behaviors. Sport therefore represents an important tool for involving various types of public.

This edition will start on April 29 from Marmolada glacier, symbol of the effects of climate change, to conclude on May 5 in Gandino. Along the way, the sediments of the 14 mountain lakes will be sampled in collaboration with the State University of Milan in search of microplastics dispersed in these natural environments.

The stages:

• May 1: Castelnuovo-Trento
• 2 May: Trento-Isera
• 3 May: Rovereto-Ledro
• 4 May: Ledro-Idro
• 5 May: Malegno-Gandino

With the arrival at Municipality of Gandino, the final event will be held. In fact, it will be the occasion for a talk focused on the ecology and entrepreneurial spirit of the area. Registration for the eco marathon is free. You can participate in the cleaning activities or run just a part of the stage with Roberto Cavallo. From Trentino to Lombardy.

Where birds of prey migrate: The poaching monitoring and prevention camp that Lipu organizes on the Calabrian side of the Strait of Messina in coordination with Legambiente, WWF and MAN (Mediterranean Association for Nature) started on Saturday 22 April and will end on 6 May. The activity takes place simultaneously and in collaboration with “Operation Adorno”, coordinated by the Soarda Operational Department of the Cites Carabinieri Group and the “Calabria” Forestry Carabinieri Regional Command to combat the poaching of birds of prey. The volunteers will supervise one of the most important European corridors for bird migration, one of black spots included in the National Anti-Poaching Plan and in which episodes of illegality still occur today. A phenomenon which, although reduced compared to the past, constitutes a serious threat to the safety of tens of thousands of specimens of migrating birds of prey who pass through the strait such as marsh harriers, black kites, Egyptian vultures, harriers, sparrowhawks, ospreys, which add the white stork and the black stork.

This year the usual activity of Lipu volunteers in defense of migratory birds of prey, who operate within the “Safe flyways” project, is joined by the appointment of theAdorno Dayuntil April 30, with meetings and events in the area focused precisely on the migration of birds of prey, organized by Lipu and StOrCal (Calabrian ornithological station), with the collaboration of the Municipality of Campo Calabro and the Department of Agriculture of the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria.

Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May Lipu also organizes the Festival of the Lipu oases and reserves, 26 areas rich in biodiversity from Piedmont to Sicily, managed in collaboration with public administrations and private entities. Many wetlands but also canyons, coastal areas, woods and agricultural environments rich in nature and wild birds, from the Palude Brabbia (Va) to the Torrile Reserve (Pr), from the Chiarone-Massaciuccoli Reserve (Lu), the Gravina di Laterza (Ta) up to the Sicilian reserves of Biviere di Gela (Cl) and Saline di Priolo (Sr). Ideal places to relax and enjoy birdwatching: there is a vast program of initiatives aimed at families, with guided birdwatching excursions and events, as well as numerous recreational activities and workshops for children and teenagers.

By bike

The Bike Festival returns to Riva del Garda from 28 April to 1 May. Over a thousand kinds of mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes will be available for you to test for free. Parallel to the expo area of ​​the festival, a rich program of sporting appointments and competitions takes place. On April 30 from 8.30 the Specialized Lake Bash starting directly from the shores of Lake Garda. A loop of 100 kilometers (or 65 kilometres) with three timed stages, but will not count towards the classification allowing participants to ride together, chat and admire nature. On May 1, instead, space for little bikers with the Junior Trophy.

Trekking

ll Way of the brigands between Lazio and Abruzzo it doubles from the end of April. From 2023 the walking path will be joined by a mountain bike route. Of 216 kilometres, double the distance on foot. So even with mountain bikes you can now cycle for 4-5 days. Partly remaining on the classic path between medieval villages and woods, partly also exploring the Simbruini mountains, traits of the They cicolano and the part of Massa d’Albe under Velino. A route aimed at trained bikers.

Via Francigena. A classic. During the 1 May long weekend (three days from 29 April to 1 May) it will be possible to walk the most fascinating stretch of the Via Francigena with an environmental guide by visiting Saint Gimignano, Monteriggioni And Siena. The route will be between mountain paths, stone mule tracks, country roads, dirt roads among the cypresses. A safe route, free from technical difficulties but incredibly engaging that winds through fields and woods, touching ancient castles, abbeys and small villages, perfect to experience during the spring so as to capture every color and scent of nature that awakens.