The NESTS pilot action in Manduria, Italy, at Masseria Marina – Casa del Parco is progressing towards the establishment of a centre dedicated to the conservation, reproduction and release into the wild of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis).
Once widespread in Italian wetlands, the European pond turtle is a native species now affected by increasingly fragmented and declining populations, mainly due to habitat loss, wetland degradation, pollution, human pressure and the growing impacts of climate change. Works are currently underway to complete two protected ponds: one intended for breeding specimens and the other for juveniles and newly hatched turtles.
This measure is part of the NESTS pilot actions aimed at preventing biodiversity loss. Through this initiative, the Regional Natural Reserves of the Eastern Coast of Taranto, lead beneficiary of the project, contributes to translating the project’s objectives into concrete conservation actions, strengthening the role of protected areas as operational laboratories for habitat and species protection.
NESTS confirms its commitment to the objectives of the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030, promoting more integrated, participatory and cooperation-based environmental governance.
The works at Masseria Marina – Casa del Parco represent a concrete step towards the creation of a cross-border network of skills, responsibilities and actions for nature protection between Italy and Greece.
