HUMANITA project partners successfully and collaboratively discussed and solved many different topics in the project – from overall project progress, overview of upcoming activities, work done so far, as well as concrete plans and activities in motion for the upcoming period.
The meeting also provided an interesting presentation of the associated partner – Mr. Stefano Segadelli, representative of the associated partner Regione Emilia-Romagna, Servizio Geologico, Sismico e dei Suoli, presented the situation with water supply in a valley in the Tuscan Emilian Apennine National Park, and explained how it is impacted seasonaly by the presence of tourists.
The partners also visited Pietra di Bismantova, an important geosite and area of touristic interest in the pilot site of Tuscan Emilian Apennine National Park, guided by Ms. Martina Bianchi, a guide from associated partner Associazione Altri Passi. Ms. Bianchi frequently accompanies groups of visitors in the Park and the collaboration of the guides is essential to raise awareness among Park visitors on the issues addressed by HUMANITA. Stops were done at locations where monitoring of erosion is provided by University of Parma experts, and where the visitors will be monitored by infrared counters.
An introduction to Triassic Chalks was also provided, which is another important hotspot for the tourism in the Tuscan Emilian Apennine National Park. It’s a specific place with very ancient plasters, the oldest in the Apennines, dating back to over 200 million years ago, with cavities, sinkholes, crystals of all shapes and sizes, situating south of the Pietra di Bismantova and in a stretch of about 10 km along the Valle del Secchia, recently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This area is affected by erosion of vegetation due to trampling.
Most importantly, through thematic presentations, discussions, group work, as well as management and Steering Committee topics and discussions, the meeting facilitated collaboration and quality decision-making, helping to keep project on a successful and timely track.
The meeting ended with a summary of next priorities and activities, which gave the partners a clear vision and path of what is next in plan for the project activities, making sure everyone is aligned in terms of responsibilities and next steps.