SEF Newsletter – December 2024
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SEF PROJECT UPDATES
In 2024, Sicily Environment Fund has supported seven projects across Sicily, involving amazing local partners in Palermo, Trapani, Catania, Trapani, Caltanissetta, Aeolian Islands and Messina.
Common ground: territorial planning with and for the community to prevent wildfires
Altofonte is an area which was significantly affected by wildfires in 2023 and where the local community has been involved by Collettivo Rewild Sicily in the development of guidelines for territorial planning to reduce the incidence of fires through sustainable land-use and traditional agro-pastoral practices. Several round tables were organised in collaboration with Pro Loco Altofonte and the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forest Sciences of the University of Palermo and participatory approaches were adopted for territorial planning, setting the foundations for policy tools. Measures to prevent wildfires have been implemented in collaboration with Alive Permacultura. This project provides a pilot case which can be replicated across the region.
Artisanal fishers in corals restoration
The project run by researchers from Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, involves artisanal fishers in the restoration of coralligenous habitats in the Marine Protected Area of Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine. Ecological surveys are providing important data on ecosystem health. A significant density of white gorgonians reveals a positive indicator of the ecosystem’s vitality, along with the sporadic presence of yellow gorgonians. Signs of bleaching were observed in several colonies of red gorgonians in shallow waters, highlighting the urgent need to implement conservation and restoration measures to protect these vital organisms. Local fishers will be trained by University of Barcelona on the recovery of coral fragments and restoration procedures.
Thanks to Studio Forward and Officine Grafiche support, an awareness campaign will highlight the importance of the MPA and of coral-reef populations.
The project has received support from Grimaldi Palermo Euro Terminal.
Unpacked shopping
This pilot project led by Rifiuti Zero Sicilia, in collaboration with New Circular Solutions and the municipality of San Giovanni La Punta, aims to create a community of businesses and consumers that embraces “purchase without packaging”. The goal is to reduce single-use packaging and promote a change in daily habits, such as using reusable containers for groceries and takeaways, adopting eco-friendly practices at home, and promoting sustainability at events. Volunteers took part in training sessions and 400 students have been involved in educational activities.
On the project’s web page, you can find the health guidelines addressed to businesses and consumers. If you’re a citizen, a shopkeeper, a municipality, or an organization and want to contribute to the ecological revolution in Sicily, get in touch with Rifiuti Zero Sicilia.
The project is supported thanks to funding received from Conservation Collective through their Depeche Mode and Hublot partnership. Watch the video of the partnership.
Salina Isola Blu
This project led by Nesos, Condotta Isole Slow Siciliane and Kurma, focuses on engaging and empowering the local community ahead of the establishment of the Marine Protected Area of Salina, the first in the Aeolian Islands. Educational activities and stakeholders’ workshops are involving restaurants, fishers, schools and the tourism sector, raising awareness on local sustainable seafood consumption. A snorkelling programme was also organized for students to educate them on local biodiversity and importance of MPAs.
Together with Blue Marine Foundation, SEF is committed to supporting local efforts towards marine conservation and sustainable development on the island of Salina.
Saving agrobiodiversity in Western Sicily
FICUS is engaging with local farmers in Marsala and Trapani to identify ancient crop varieties at risk of extinction and promote sustainable agriculture techniques. Crops such as varieties of Sicilian Purple Cauliflower, pumpkin and melon are propagated and cultivated at their educational center and in surrounding farms, also involving young people with disabilities and vulnerable immigrants, under the guidance of certified operators in horticultural therapy.
The initiative is a complementary to the FOOD project (Ficus Beyond All Disabilities), in collaboration with ANFFAS, funded by the local government.
Agroecology for ecosystem restoration of the Plain of Gela
In order to restore valuable ecosystems on the Plain of Gela, CEA ODV has started the implementation of agroecological practices at Geloi Wetland! The land adjustment work has been completed, and the first plants of holm oaks, pear trees, rosemary, phillyrea, broom, and mastic trees have been planted. The seedlings, protected by nets and covered with abundant mulch, are shielded from grazing and other herbivores.
Rewilding and reforestation activities will help restore vital habitats for key species such as the Lesser kestrel, the European roller, and the Crested lark, while also strengthening the agricultural resilience of the area.
In order to enhance the work carried out within the project, the Stiftung Pro Artenvielfalt foundation has financed and completed the fencing of the area to protect the avifauna from hunting, supporting the persistence of a group of 85-100 wintering skylarks in the area.
City Nature Challenge 2024 Milazzo
Since 2021, MuMa Museum of the Sea of Milazzo, has been participating in the City Nature Challenge, an international Citizen Science event whereby cities around the world encourage participants to share observations of nature via the iNaturalist app. This year, Milazzo ranked 1st in Italy, 3rd in Europe, and 25th globally, for the number of different species (2,616) and observations (20,000) recorded. Promoting such initiatives is crucial for raising awareness of biodiversity, promoting environmental education and amplifying the potential of Citizen Science to gather data on protected areas’ biodiversity.
SEF collaborated with Sicily’s Environment Department to promote an event highlighting the opportunities Citizen Science can bring to the management of protected areas in the region. The project has received support from Esplora Travel.
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