National parks and biodiversity
Protected areas have been set up on the territory, in order to preserve natural spaces and different ecosystems. They are divided into national parks, regional nature parks and nature reserves.
The Sibylline Mountains National Park: located between the Marche and Umbria regions, it protects remarkable mountain landscapes and ecosystems. We can mention Mount Vittore, Lake Pilate, or the Gole dell'Infernaccio.
The Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park: located in the Marche, Lazio and Abruzzo regions, it protects the eponymous massifs and the Calderone glacier, the southernmost in Europe and the only one in the Apennines. It is also known for its rich biodiversity. It is home to rare and endangered species of flora.
A vulnerable territory, weakened by human activities
Subject to natural hazards (earthquakes, floods, droughts), the territory is made more vulnerable by human activities. Conventional agriculture has contributed to deforestation, erosion and soil pollution through the use of pesticides. Climate change could increase the frequency and intensity of extreme events, disrupting terrestrial and marine ecosystems, threatening human activities such as fishing and agriculture. The Adriatic Sea, bordering 7 countries, suffers from multiple pollutions. Solutions are being put in place, such as agricultural practices that respect both man and the environment. One example is the Lungarotti Foundation, which has initiated an approach "from the vine to the cellar". Agro-ecological methods are used, and practices are also aimed at reducingCO2
emissions, such as a biomass plant producing energy from grape pruning waste. Active mobility is also encouraged, in a territory that favors walking and cycling. Associations in partnership with local authorities offer, for example, walks to discover the beauty of the area by bike. The formula can be summarized as follows: "(Bike + Train + Lake + Sunset) x Aperitif = Happiness". ( see : www.legambienteumbria.it/)Waste management that lacks circularity
The new urban waste management plan proposed by the Regional Council of Umbria has raised the ire of the environmental association Legambiente umbria. The association highlights the lack of will to implement a real circular economy approach based on the reduction of waste at source and a better performance of selective sorting. The project is in fact based on an extension of existing facilities and the construction of a waste incinerator, which will not only produce greenhouse gases but will not encourage the establishment of channels for the reuse or recycling of waste.
Travel slowly
The territory is accessible by train (and by boat for the Marche), but also by bike and on foot. In 2021, the Italian Green Road Award gave its first prize to an Umbrian route. It is the beautiful Assisi - Spoleto - Norcia cycle route. Do not hesitate to contact the members of the Slowfood movement, which aims to promote "healthy, clean and fair" food, to defend food biodiversity, and a whole philosophy related to the pleasure of food (see: slowfood.it). The Agriturismo network includes organic farms that welcome visitors (for more information: www.agriturismo.it/fr).
