The Città Metropolitana di Catania, responsible of the management of Oriented Nature Reserves and SAC "Oasi del Simeto" and "Fiume Fiumefreddo", has considerable experience in the protection and conservation of biodiversity, as well as in the field of communication and environmental education. On the scientific level, it makes use of a Provincial Scientific Council of Reserves and Natural Heritage established pursuant to art. 37 of L. R. 14/88.
Several conservation interventions have been carried out, including the project of the reintroduction of the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) in Sicily, which saw the Simeto Oasis reserve as the main site for acclimatization, reproduction and subsequent diffusion in further habitat regional areas.
Furthermore, investigations with the IBE method (Extended Biotic Index) on the Fiumefreddo river carried out with staff from the Management Authorities and ARPA of Sicily in the years 2004-2006 have shown the presence in the water of an alien mollusk: Potamopyrgus antipodarum.
The two nature reserves have been the object and partner in various internships, training and graduation thesis activities, as well as the subject of various scientific research projects.
More information on the reserves managed by the consortium can be found at this link.
Several informative and promotional products have been created, including:
DVD: “Water, earth and fire-travel in the land of myth”;
“Sultan chicken - a rediscovered masterpiece”;
“The seaside villages of lava”.
Books: “Oriented Nature Reserve – Oasi del Simeto”;
“Oriented Nature Reserve – Fiume Fiumefreddo”;
"Guide to the nature of the Province of Catania".
In the field of dissemination and promotion, considerable experience has also been gained not only with the guided tour service, but also through the involvement of school groups, of all levels, in environmental education projects and activities.
Among the many initiatives undertaken in recent years, those considered most significant for the purposes of the experience gained on the issues of the FAST project are listed below:
Territorial Cooperation:
SIOLATINO project (Interreg MEDOCC)
DEDEL SDEC Project (Interreg III C Sud)
MACIMED project (Interreg Archimed)
FIMIP Project (Interact) FRONTIERS project (Interact)
Other transnational projects:
SAPUCCA Project (Security and Safeguarding of Freedom - DG Home Affairs)
YOUNG DEMOCRACY AMBASSADORS Project (Youth in Europe)
PO FESR - Sicily:
- Seaside villages of lava;
- Marketing and territorial partnerships;
- Acquisition of areas of greater environmental value present in the natural reserve "Oasi del Simeto";
- Restructuring of Masseria Torreallegra into a multifunctional center of the natural reserve “Oasi del Simeto”;
Various projects on the Axis 6 OP ERDF 2007-2013 relating to cultural heritage, technological innovation; social policies and internationalization of SMEs.
