The conference was organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome, and with the support of ARSIAL in the context of the activities of the LIFE Grace project.
On 12 December, the Conference took place at the Botanical Garden Museum in Rome. Fabio Attore (DEB), Director of the Botanical Garden, opened the institutional greetings, Marco Gisotti (Green Factor) moderated the speeches, and Claudio Di Giovannantonio (ARSIAL) organized and offered the Welcome lunch with tasting of products from “Natura 2000 areas”, and presented the experience of the project in the conservation of nature.
At 1 p.m. the conference was opened with a buffet organized and offered by ARSIAL with typical products from the Natura 2000 areas of the Life Grace project. Each dish was presented with an indication of the production area and the attention to traditional production systems and processes that underline its quality.
Massimo Pelliccia, a breeder testimonial of the Life Grace project, presented the White Vitellone tartare and other products from local breeds farmed in the Natura 2000 areas. He explained how essential the consumer awareness on the importance of their nutritional choices is not only for eating quality products, but also to help support farmers who want to preserve Natura 2000 habitats and breeds at risk of genetic erosion.
The meeting then continued in the plenary, with the institutional greetings of the University and MASE, and representatives of the European Commission and the LIFE National Contact Point Team introduced the results achieved in 30 years by the LIFE programme in the conservation and management of Natura 2000 sites.
As part of the "Discussion Panel", representatives of some Italian LIFE projects significantly contributing to the conservation and management of Natura 2000 sites in our country, presented their experiences. Among them, Claudio Di Giovannantonio presented the Life Grace project, the decline of the pasture habitats of the Habitats Directive in the Natura 2000 project areas, and the need for adequate governance tools to ensure their conservation.
The day ended with a round table of representatives of CINEA, the LIFE NAT Monitoring Team of NEEMO EEIG-Timesis, the LIFE National Contact Point Team of MASE and 3 Italian Regions. They underlined the importance of hoard and replicate the experiences gathered in the 30 years of the LIFE programme and the Habitats Directive, as well as to strengthen the incredible network of people and activities that have taken part in the adventure of achieving Natura 2000 conservation through the LIFE programme.
