Regeneration

Pierangelo Miola recalls the implementation of the renaturalisation project carried out by the Forestry Services, which he coordinated.

As the department responsible for overseeing the works, we managed this project, which was almost historic in its significance. Because rewilding can easily be reduced to a simple reforestation project, which would have been the usual approach in a forestry context. But that was not the case here. From the very beginning, this project spoke a different language: that of restoring, or at least introducing, a variety of ecosystems and habitats in the area surrounding the lake. The aim was to recreate a mosaic of habitats. This is because a diverse environment offers far more opportunities for living organisms than a uniform one: birds, insects, microorganisms, fungi and mammals of all kinds. So, despite the narrow strip of land within which we were forced to operate—because the road had to remain, leaving us with a corridor ranging from five to thirty metres in width—we nevertheless tried to establish a variety of habitats. We even left some open areas, because otherwise the lake itself would no longer have been visible. There were also valuable non-woodland habitats, particularly the reed beds and sedge beds, which already existed but were also restored. The reed beds, in particular, were restored and expanded. These are low-growing habitats, meaning that they do not obstruct the view and at the same time offer different ecological opportunities.
The sedge bed is a carpet of tufted plants typical of wetlands. And the reed bed, well, it has a particular fascination... I catch glimpses of it, then lose sight of it again; I imagine the water beyond. There are hidden birds, discreetly present among the reeds. Then the wind sets everything swaying, creating its own sounds. The woodland, on the other hand, is completely different because it screens everything from sight. We also arranged it in a layered structure, with lower shrubs along the edges and taller trees in the centre. It forms a screen that hides much of the view, but with an extraordinary variety of forms and species.
When you plant small forest saplings, as is done in reforestation projects, you know that you will not see the results immediately. Yet when we returned to conduct the accounting surveys, after only four or five years we found ourselves standing in what was already, for all intents and purposes, a woodland. I might have expected it, but I was still surprised, because I had imagined it would take much longer. Instead, within just a few years, a woodland had developed, full of colours, different fruits, flowers and berries. It was truly incredible.
The future of the lake has always been difficult to predict. I remember that, back in the early 2000s, an article was published in Natura Vicentina that sought to outline possible approaches for proper management, but also for enhancing the area. More or less unanimously, the people of Vicenza have always envisaged a form of development based on education, culture and recreation, but in a sustainable and low-impact way: no motorbikes, no motorised vehicles, yet with initiatives capable of generating income through well-managed tourism. For me, at least, that could still be the future.
There are many issues affecting the lake. There have been changes to the fish fauna and to the aquatic vegetation. In short, there are still many things that probably need to be addressed. Another aspect that I know is deeply valued by the local community is keeping the lake’s historical and popular traditions alive. There was fishing, there were boats, there were farming activities. There was a strong local tradition and a strong sense of belonging. At the very least, from a conservation perspective, it would be right to preserve these values, and they could become part of a heritage to be offered as a cultural and educational resource. In the meantime, some visitor facilities have also developed. As a result, slow tourism and sustainable tourism could continue to grow, attracting increasing numbers of visitors.