“The importance of protected areas for biodiversity conservation”: ISPRA takes part in the seminar promoted by the Nebrodi Park

On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the European Day of Parks and the European Geoparks Week 2026 – EGN WEEK 2026, the seminar entitled “The importance of protected areas for biodiversity conservation” was held at the “L. Sciascia” High School in Sant’Agata Militello (Sicily, Italy).
The initiative, promoted by the Nebrodi Park Authority, represented an important opportunity to discuss biodiversity conservation, environmental monitoring and the strategic role of protected areas in safeguarding natural heritage.
For ISPRA, Dr Luigi Ricci, Director of the Department for Environmental Monitoring and Protection and Biodiversity Conservation, highlighted the importance of scientific knowledge and cooperation among institutions, the scientific community, schools and local territories in addressing current environmental challenges.

During the seminar, reference was also made to the recent collaboration launched between ISPRA and the Nebrodi Park through an agreement focused on joint biodiversity monitoring and conservation activities, particularly concerning avifauna and fungal diversity.
The agreement includes technical and scientific activities related to macrofungi monitoring and faunal monitoring, especially of conservation-relevant species such as the golden eagle and the red-billed chough, contributing to strengthening scientific knowledge within the Park territory.
The event involved representatives of institutions, the scientific community and protected areas, as well as numerous students, highlighting the importance of environmental education and the involvement of younger generations in biodiversity conservation issues.