The Nature Park of the Ticino Valley is located south of Lake Maggiore and extends for 6,561 hectares along the right bank of the Ticino River (the section in Piedmont), on the narrow stretch of the river between the lake and the beginning of the area of Lombardy. 11 municipalities are in the area, from Castelletto Ticino to Cerano, and together with the larger and bordering Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley, it forms one of the largest protected areas in Italy.
The environment in the Park of the Ticino
The landscape is characterised by an essentially agricultural organisation, and mills and farmsteads are often found here. There are essentially six characteristic environments in the park: the river, oxbow lake, resurgence, meadow, moor and woods. The latter (3,500 hectares) is the most predominant in the area and alternates with cultivations in the flat river valleys; the meadow is still the most common cultivation here today. Oxbow lakes are bodies of water that are swamped by the river when it floods: the slow flowing water favours the development of rich aquatic vegetation. Resurgences create the most charming environments. The water in these spots is always at a constant temperature throughout the year. The distribution of aquatic flora depends on the characteristics of the waterway, which is often home to uncommon species. The fauna here includes mammals such as the squirrel, wild rabbit, hedgehog and hare. Birds include the mallard, grey heron, common moorhen and pheasant. Fish include the trout, pike and chub.
The Nature Park of the Ticino Valley: history
The Piedmont Park of the Ticino Valley was established with Italian Regional Law no. 53 of 21 August 1978. The law provided that the basic park tasks included organising the territory to favour its recreational, scientific and educational use, protecting the condition of the waters, promoting farming activities and protecting the forest heritage. The park is currently run by a management body comprising an executive council, an executive board and a president.
Touring the Park of the Ticino Valley
Visitors are welcome in all areas of the park. The only exceptions are a few private areas in the Bosco Vedro Special Nature Reserve, in Cameri. Access to this area is only allowed for scientific purposes or when included in guided tours, which are essentially only for schools.
Ticino Park: educational and research activities
There are car parks in the park and different buildings have been purchased (with the exception of Villa Picchetta in Cameri, which is the park headquarters, we point out the old mill in Bellinzago, the Le Ginestre Area in Oleggio, and the Cascine Casone and Montelame in Pombia) - true park centres providing illustrated and educational information concerning the naturalistic and historic aspects of the park. Important goals have recently been achieved such as creating an analysis laboratory to check the quality of the water, setting up a bird banding centre to study migration and starting a project to reintroduce the otter.
Photo gallery Nature Park of the Ticino Valley
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