Redevelopment Activities
The staff of the reserves is responsible for the ordinary cleaning, maintenance and enhancement of the sites. Their task is to remove abandoned waste, fix fences and signposts, plant native species.
Thanks to specific European community projects and funds paid by the Regional Territory and Environment Department (POR Sicily 2000-2006 – PO FESR 2007-2013), several structural works have been done in order to requalify and improve the degraded areas of the nature reserves. The activities include: acquisition of areas for regional property, demolition of illegal structures, land clean-up, creation of green areas by planting native species, building fences to prevent the access of unauthorized vehicles, blocking erosion through soil bioengineering techniques.
The redevelopment of an area surrounded by concrete: the Carburangeli Cave nature reserve
In 2006, an area of great naturalistic and managerial importance was acquired from the regional property; it was cleaned-up and redeveloped: the existing illegal structures were demolished and the access path to the cavity was re-naturalized using native species of the Maquis shrubland.
Before
After
Before
After
The Santa Ninfa Cave: from building material dump to green area in a nature reserve
Thanks to the funds of the POR Sicily 2000-2006 the gypsum slope where the Santa Ninfa Cave is located, was acquired to the regional state property and it was restored and re-developed. Until the 1980s the area was used as a dump for the 1968 earthquake rubble. With the cooperation and support of the State Forest Department of Trapani a wide green area was created with Maquis shrub land, typical trees of the agricultural landscape and of the Mediterranean forest, and nature trails with access for the disabled, educational boards and a small picnic area were done as well.
Demolition of illegal buildings in Lampedusa
The fight against illegal building has found a symbol in Lampedusa, where, in 2002, the skeleton of the Interfinanza tourist village of Cala Galera, whose construction had started in 1973, was demolished.
Soil bioengineering techniques
to protect the Conigli Beach
One side of the Conigli Beach, severely damaged because of the access track built before the establishment of the reserve, was recovered with soil bioengineering techniques, using natural materials (wood and stones) and planting species indigenous to the island of Lampedusa.