Also in Taranto in recent days the national garden day promoted by the UGAI (National Garden Club Union) was celebrated, which has reached its XXI edition, and which sees all the Garden Clubs of Italy engaged in initiatives aimed at spreading knowledge of the world of nature through information and the promotion of cultural activities, environmental education projects in schools and collaboration with local authorities for the enhancement and protection of the territory.
The Garden Club of Taranto, chaired by Dr. Titti Giacovelli, in line with the national theme “The Garden Club in the interest of future generations” organized an event open to citizens entitled “Taranto: sea and land, heritage to be preserved for the future ”. Speakers of the meeting, moderated by Professor Adriana Chirico of the Jonico – Uniba Department, Dr. Mina Chirico, historical researcher, Dr. Ester Cecere, CNR researcher and Professor Stefano Vinci of the Jonico – Uniba Department.
The municipal administration was present with the Councilor for the Environment, Quality of Life and Legal Affairs, lawyer Stefania Fornaro, who after bringing institutional greetings and praising the Garden’s initiative pointed out that the Municipality of Taranto is introducing numerous initiatives for the creation of protected greenery. In particular, Fornaro wanted to launch a proposal, that is, together with her colleague from Urban Planning, lawyer Edmondo Ruggiero, to launch the strategic green plan in our city. This plan, according to Fornaro, will be a strategic tool that aims to guide an orderly, cohesive and sustainable development of the city, capable of uniting the purely anthropic matrix with the environmental and ecological one.
Among the topics covered by the speakers, from biodiversity in Chirico’s traditional gardens, as well as the sea and fishing between history and Vinci’s perspectives, of particular interest is the question raised by Cecere relating to underwater meadows and, in particular, the problem of beached seagrass.
Posidonia meadows have considerable ecological importance and constitute a complex ecosystem, constituting, in particular, a shelter and place of reproduction for many species, as well as a natural defense of the coasts from erosion. However, the leaves that detach from the plant can arrive on the beaches following storm surges and form large accumulations. Their presence in tourist-seaside areas is not appreciated by bathers who consider it waste rather than a natural component of the coast, and as such, a nuisance to be removed.
On this point, councilor Fornaro announced the imminent signing of a memorandum of understanding between ISPRA and the Municipality of Taranto for the creation of the “Ecological beach” in order to raise citizens’ awareness of the importance of this natural species by highlighting the benefits it brings and, in particular, the fact that its presence represents a good indicator of the quality of coastal waters. the topics covered will be included in an environmental education project that the Garden club will bring to local schools
