IMMERSED IN THE PONTINO LANDSCAPE, THE LAGETTO DEGLI ALFIERI REPRESENTS AN OASIS OF BIODIVERSITY AND A REFUGE FOR MORE THAN A HUNDRED BIRD SPECIES, SOME OF WHICH ARE RARE AND ENDANGERED. A RECENT PROJECT AIMS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE LAKE BY COMBINING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE
A place of memory and biodiversity: Lake Alfieri
The Laghetto degli Alfieri, in the province of Latina, is a treasure trove of history and biodiversity, immersed in the heart of the Pontine landscape. Since ancient times, the banks have been a crossroads between people and nature, a place where peasant civilization has been able to live together in balance with the surrounding environment. Here, rural life is intertwined with the slow and cyclical rhythms of nature, creating a symbiotic relationship that has characterized this part of the territory for centuries.
Local communities have always considered it a precious resource, both for the fertility of the surrounding lands and for the presence of fresh water. The proximity of the Lake Fondione of the largest lake basins in Lazio, has increased the importance of this wetland area, making it one of the most important ecological corridors in the region.
A heritage that must be protected
The ecological value of the Laghetto degli Alfieri is reflected in the richness of its surroundings. The extensive reed and swamp vegetation create ideal habitats for numerous species of water birds. In spring the area comes alive with the presence of gray herons, coots and bitterns, which choose these calm waters to nest. With the arrival of autumn, the lake turns into an important stopover for migratory birds, including the avocet and the spoonbill, which find refreshment and nourishment during their long journeys.
In recent decades, the ecological relevance of this area has not escaped the attention of environmental institutions and associations. There FLAG (Italian Bird Protection League), together with other local authorities and research groups, has launched monitoring campaigns to study and protect the pond’s fauna, aware of the fragility of this delicate ecosystem.
In fact, uncontrolled urban sprawl and water pollution are persistent obstacles that threaten the ecological integrity of the area. The area has therefore become the subject of nature conservation projects aimed at protecting biodiversity, but also promoting sustainable use that improves the territory without endangering the natural balance. But let’s delve deeper into the question.
The Memorandum of Understanding: a bridge to the future
Last March, a Memorandum of Understanding was officially signed between theMonti Ausoni Regional Natural Park Authority and Lago di Fondi and the LIPU. This agreement marks the beginning of a long-awaited phase of environmental recovery.
The choice of LIPU as a strategic partner is not random. The organisation, which has been at the forefront of protecting wild birds and threatened ecosystems for many years, brings a wealth of specialist skills and an integrated approach that combines environmental protection and public awareness.
The protocol provides for a series of structured interventions aimed at restoring the ecological balance of the area and promoting conscious and respectful use of the area. The goal is not just limited to protecting biodiversity, but aims to give the lake back to the community and make it accessible through sustainable infrastructure and environmental education courses.
One of the key initiatives is the creation of a visitor center that will act as a welcome center for visitors and offer guided tours, educational exhibitions and educational activities related to the local fauna and flora. The design of nature trails and observation huts allows birdwatchers and nature photographers to admire birds without disturbing the habitats.
Particular attention will be paid to young people, creating educational spaces and recreational areas for children and teenagers, designed to bring the new generations closer to knowledge and respect for nature. These environments will be animated by workshops, expert meetings and practical activities, promoting a direct and deep connection with the local ecosystem.
The words of the protagonists
The Director of the Park Authority, Lucio De Filippis, underlined the importance of the project by stating: «Wild birds are the guardians of an ecosystem’s health. Their presence or absence tells us the conservation status of an environment. The restoration of the Laghetto degli Alfieri represents a fundamental step in preserving this delicate natural balance and returning to the area a resource that belongs to everyone.”
For his part, the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Park Authority, Giuseppe Incocciati, emphasized how this initiative fits harmoniously and coherently into the broader plan of European environmental policy. In fact, this intervention reflects the principles set out in the European Green Deal and the recent Nature Restoration Act approved by the European Parliament.
The objectives to be achieved
In concrete terms, the Laghetto degli Alfieri project, with its interventions for the regeneration and protection of habitats, fits perfectly with one of the central pillars of the Green deal 2019: the target to protect 30% of the EU’s terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.
As for the Nature Restoration Actapproved in 2023, further strengthens this framework and introduces legal obligations for the restoration of degraded ecosystems across the European Union. This law aims to restore at least 20% of the land and sea surface by 2030 and to bring all ecosystems to a critical state by 2050.
The protection of wetlands therefore plays a central role in this strategy, as these ecosystems are not only home to a wide range of species, but also act as natural carbon sinks, thus contributing significantly to the fight against climate change.
Alessandro Polinori, President of LIPU, enthusiastically welcomed the start of the collaboration and underlined the importance of protecting biodiversity, not only as an act of responsibility towards the planet, but also as a necessary action to ensure the resilience of the area in light of environmental challenges. Polinori reiterated how the loss of biodiversity threatens the stability of ecosystems, increasing the vulnerability of local communities to extreme phenomena, such as floods or drought.
This project is therefore not limited to nature conservation, but represents a concrete investment in safeguarding collective well-being and defending the ecological heritage that, if preserved, will continue to provide ecological, economic and social benefits for future generations. But there is more.
A visionary project between conservation and valorization
The aim is not only to safeguard biodiversity, but also to create an integrated management model that combines environmental protection and sustainable development. Ugo Faralli, responsible for LIPU Oases and Reserves, outlined the concrete steps that will be taken from the first months of 2025.
An expansion of reed areas is expected, with the aim of increasing wetlands, fundamental habitats for many declining bird species. At the same time, the existing buildings are being renovated into a visitor center and a games room.
Access is regulated to ensure controlled use, with parking for cars and bicycles and paths in the middle of nature.
The hope is that this project will become a replicable model, demonstrating that the protection of nature can go hand in hand with the valorization of the territory and the well-being of local communities. The Laghetto degli Alfieri, with its rebirth, reminds us that protecting the environment is not just a duty, but an opportunity to build a fairer, healthier and more sustainable future for all.