People and place
A UNESCO biosphere reserve is a place where people share a way of living with nature that builds a future we're proud of. Below is a brief list of how people and organizations across our Park protect and learn from the biodiverse landscape they inhabit.Highlights of the Application
Environmental Education:
In the area there are many projects with schools to help promote knowledge, protection and the development of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine UNESCO area. One program that promotes education can be seen at the Atelier of Water & Energy in Ligonchio. Here school children and families can go and learn about water, and renewable energy. This is just one example of how education is promoted, and there are other educational programs and workshops offered at the visitor centers throughout the MaB UNESCO state. It is important to the reserve to enable educational workshops because it helps with advancements to traditional crafts, maintenance of the territory and the continued collaboration of institutions.
Mountain Agriculture:
The agriculture and gastronomic traditions of the mountains are undoubtedly the fulcrum on which the area received the nomination for a MaB reserve. The recovery and protection of social and cultural diversity of the territory can help address obstacles such as, unemployment rates, and an aging population. To help counteract these problems, municipalities need to enhance socio-economic diversity by supporting organic agriculture, sustainable forestry, the return to micro-farming, and adapting agricultural traditions of the past.
Sustainable Tourism:
The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, promotes the importance of reducing and managing environmental impacts of tourism in certain areas. The Charter has coined key phrases such as "ecotourism and nature-tourism" in order to educate tourist about their impact on regions they visit. The area particularly has developed ways to help support the relationship between tourism and agribusinesses with programs such as "Zero Km Menus", visits to local farms, and wine tastings.
Territorial Marketing:
The importance of local products, territory, rich culture and historical value can become the fundamental basis for making the proposal for territorial marketing. The World's Fair Expo in Milan 2015, dedicated its theme to "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life." The fair highlighted the possibility to implement the practices the reserve has promoted, like the protection and enhancement of the agro-food business, products and producers.
Research & Monitoring:
Through the strengthening of the networks and collaborations, the Park was able to become a part MaB UNESCO of Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Universities conducted studies in order to expand the knowledge base and install a monitoring network that would give clear input about the protection function of the MaB Development Area. These studies also stimulate research in the field. Through innovation they can improve the patterns and techniques that are used when working in the TEA National Park, especially in infrastructure, the agricultural sector, communication and tourism.
