Federparchi, ISPRA, Micocosmo and the Valle Camonica Mountain Community – Adamello Park join forces to enhance mountain biodiversity in Lombardy

The project “Mountains in Transition – Mycological Itineraries for the Knowledge of Fungal Diversity”, submitted by Federparchi – Europarc Italia (lead partner) in collaboration with ISPRA – Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Micocosmo APS and the Valle Camonica Mountain Community – Adamello Regional Park, has been selected by the Cariplo Foundation within the 2025 “Mountains in Transition” call for proposals.

The initiative promotes an innovative and replicable model of sustainable tourism based on the knowledge and enhancement of mountain biodiversity, with a special focus on fungal diversity (mycodiversity).

Through guided mycological excursions, thematic workshops, citizen science activities and a mycological festival, the project will engage citizens, students and visitors in discovering the ecological role of fungi and in collecting data useful for research and conservation.

All activities will take place in the territory of the Valle Camonica Mountain Community – Adamello Park, an area of outstanding natural and cultural value.

The data collected will be validated and stored in ISPRA’s Fungal Information System (SIF), while fungal specimens will be preserved in the National Fungarium of ISPRA.

The project also aims to strengthen local networks among institutions, parks, research bodies and mycological associations, fostering social innovation, active participation and ecological awareness within mountain communities.

At the end of the project, a scientific and outreach publication on the mycological diversity of Valle Camonica will be produced.