The initiatives of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors project are as necessary as they are desirable in the areas of new expansion of the Marsican brown bear, such as Alto Molise. And here it is essential to meet the communities.
The second public event of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors project will be held on Thursday 13 July at 17:30 in Vastogirardi, at the Sala della Congrega in Via Roma, which is open to everyone. After Pettorano sul Gizio, the question “Can you live in an area where bears also live? And how?” will be addressed to the communities of Alto Molise.
The EU co-funded LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors project has the ambitious goal of growing the culture of human-bear coexistence in the Central Apennines to encourage the expansion of the endangered population of Marsican brown bear, through the replication of the Bear Smart Community model – implemented in Alto Molise since 2018 – in at least 16 municipalities, both in protected areas and in the ecological corridors that connect them, as well as in two areas of Northern Greece.
Promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and bears is a social and cultural process in which no one is excluded. Knowledge, the exchange of experiences and the implementation of best practices are the best tools for making the Central Apennines a vast area in which local communities and bears enjoy truly unique benefits.
The recent bear sightings in one of the core areas of the Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo Alto Molise UNESCO Biosphere Reserve testify to the use of ecological corridors as well as the suitability of the territory for the species. The event will be attended by technicians and experts who will provide updates on the diffusion and behavior of the Marsican brown bear as a starting point for establishing a discussion with those who live and work in the area, so that they can give their opinion and contribution on how to achieve together this ambitious goal which is coexistence.
The initiative is promoted by the local partners of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors project: Municipality of Vastogirardi, Municipality of San Pietro Avellana, Salviamo l’Orso, Rewilding Apennines and Intramontes. At the end of the event there will be a convivial moment.
