At the conclusion of the LIFE Magredi Grasslands Project, the Region (also due to EU co-financing) has restored 484 ha of dry grasslands on land owned by the (Public) Regional Water Department (about 50 ha more than expected). To these we must add 15 ha more, restored by the Hunting Ground together with the Municipality of Chiopris Viscone on the basis of recovery initiatives conducted by the Regional Biodiversity Department, thus creating useful synergies for the restoration and requalification of the Confluenza dei Fiumi Torre e Natisone Special Area of Conservation.
Specifically, 203 hectares of agricultural areas and abandoned uncultivated land were restored (41 hectares more than expected), 131 hectares of scrub-encroached meadows (2 hectares more than expected), 91 hectares of land covered by the invasive non-native species of Amorpha fruticosa (2 hectares more than expected), 59 hectares of meadows that had been abandoned for many years and for this reason covered by newly-formed degraded bush (6 hectares more than expected).
During its development the Project concluded with an increase of the restored surface
Evidence of the restored surfaces within each of the 4 sites subject to restoration
Alberto Cozzi, the Projects monitor paid a last visit between 17th and 22nd May 2019.
On 17th May 2019 Alberto Cozzi was present at the final convention that took place in Udine in the Headquarters of the Region. The Monitor was thus able to personally appreciate the great amount of work that the Biodiversity Department has carried out, not only through the restoration of almost 500 ha of dry grasslands, but also through the widespread work of exchange, comparison and information dissemination between the large number subjects of the territory: schools, cultural associations, stakeholders, municipalities, farmers and the numerous experts in the sector.
From 20th to 22nd May Cozzi himself, accompanied by a delegation of technicians and construction site workers, was able to see the restored magredi and the great effort carried out to recover the delays thus making it possible to accomplish all the objectives set by the Project.