Today is June 5, and since 1974 the United Nations has launched the World Environment Day, celebrated on this very day (for more information see the website of the United Nations Regional Information Center
To make our contribution to the knowledge of concrete environmental protection initiatives, we decided to tell you about our experience, albeit limited, with the 130 Natural Reserves managed by the Carabinieri Group for Biodiversity
A small but significant part of these nature reserves are equipped for people with motion and visual disabilities: in our wanderings around Italy we visited three, two in Tuscany and Emila Romagna within the National Park of the Casentinesi Forests (August 2011), and one in Molise (July 2012). Let's see some pictures: BIOGENETIC NATURE RESERVE OF BADIA PRATAGLIA (https://www.carabinieri.it/arma/oggi/organizzazione/organizzazione-per-la-tutela-forestale-ambientale-e-agroalimentare/utcb-e-le-130-riserve-naturali/utcb-di-pratovecchio/camaldoli-e-scodella/riserva-naturale-biogenetica-di-badia-prataglia) Paths for the disabled: "Sentiero Sonia" The path has a gravel bottom which is also suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, and is bordered by a wooden fence that acts as a guide and support. Along the way there are small flat farmyards suitable for stopping and resting. There are explanatory panels of flora and fauna emergencies with descriptions in Braille for access to the visually impaired.
BIOGENETIC NATURE RESERVE OF CAMPIGNA (https://www.carabinieri.it/arma/oggi/organizzazione/organizzazione-per-la-tutela-forestale-ambientale-e-agroalimentare/utcb-e-le-130-riserve-naturali/utcb-di-pratovecchio/camaldoli-e-scodella/riserva-naturale-biogenetica-di-campigna) Paths for the disabled "Path for all ... the senses" Along the way, there are ten stations intended for all visitors. In fact, there are panels with descriptions in Braille language for access to the visually impaired. The various workstations are full of information, objects and finds; to savor all this sight is not the most important sense, indeed to grasp the details it is good to pause with your eyes closed to touch and listen.
MONTEDIMEZZO NATURE RESERVE (https://www.carabinieri.it/arma/oggi/organizzazione/organizzazione-per-la-tutela-forestale-ambientale-e-agroalimentare/utcb-e-le-130-riserve-naturali/utcb-di-isernia/monte-di-mezzo) (https://www.riservamabaltomolise.it) Colle San Biagio path DIFFICULTY: low LENGTH: 2060 meters (reduced ring: 940 m) DIFFERENCE IN ALTITUDE: departure altitude 925 m - arrival altitude 925 m (maximum altitude 965 m) TIME REQUIRED: 1 hour and 50 minutes (reduced loop: 50 minutes) The Colle San Biagio route was created to make it accessible primarily to the disabled. Located in the lower part of the reserve, it winds in a ring in the Montedimezzo wood. On the downstream side of the path there is a safety handrail along which 32 information tables are arranged which illustrate, also in Braille, the ecosystem of the forest. The Braille guide and CD players with audio guide are available free of charge to the visitor, as well as two electric scooters able to move on the improved bottom of the path for the disabled.
At the reserve it is possible to visit a naturalistic museum, without architectural barriers; there are toilets equipped for the disabled.
GOOD ENVIRONMENT TO ALL !!