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Discover nature and the ecosystem that surrounds us, and that perhaps we didn’t even know existed, just a stone’s throw from home or your holiday destination. This is the objective of the tour of the Dune APS association which, on 7 August 2026, in the splendid setting of the Lido district of Catanzaro, organized the first of three events dedicated to guided tours to discover the regional nature reserve “Le dune di Giovino” and the pine forest, a special route that will return to animate the area also on 14 and 21 August.
The initiative, desired by the association as part of the activity plan of the PR Calabria FESR FSE+ 2021-2027 project, Action 2.7.1 – “Actions for the protection, conservation, enhancement and use of the system of protected areas of the Natura 2000 network and green infrastructures” (LS1.3 – Conserve, restore and protect the habitats and species of the RN2000), aims to discover the floristic species and unique fauna of their kind that populate the natural habitat located between the port of the maritime district and Simeri Mare where the ideal context has been created for dozens of animal and plant species to live and proliferate in absolute protection.
Starting from near the Corace area, the Trenino del Mare traveled along the Stefano Pugliese seafront and then made a stop at the Lido 2000 – the actual Info Point of the initiative -, where it gathered a large number of participants eager to take part in the tour. The route then continued to the Giovino roundabout, right in front of the sea and near the fountain, the access point to the itinerary surrounded by nature.
The opening event was truly sold out. What made the experience even more evocative was the stark contrast between the sultry heat of these days and the pleasant coolness of the pine forest: a relaxing walk accompanied by the sea breeze, which from 5.30pm to 7.30pm gave the participants an afternoon immersed in tranquility.
Two experts guided the visitors along the route: Stefano Lazzaretti, forestry engineer and entomologist, and Valerio Piscitelli, biologist. The experts explained how the nature reserve extends from the original pine forest near the Lido della Plaia to the mouth of the Castace stream, and how within it lies the true green lung represented by the protected area of the Dune di Giovino, an extraordinary treasure chest of biodiversity.
A fundamental role was played by the management of the Dune APS association, present with the president Ortensio Mendicino, the vice-president Loredana Mirabelli and Carmen Riga. Accompanying the visitors inside the dune area, the leaders of the association talked about the birth of their reality and illustrated the territorial valorization project now ready to start, welcomed with great anticipation and enthusiasm.
At the end of the initiative, the organizers wanted to express particular thanks to the drivers of the AMC train for the great professionalism they demonstrated, as well as to the motorists and the local community for their kind patience and understanding in the face of the brief slowdowns in traffic, which were inevitable to allow visitors to get on and off in complete safety, also in view of the upcoming days of 14 and 21 August.
The outcome of this first day was extremely positive: the participants were fascinated and ready to recommend the experience to others. The objective for the next dates of 14 and 21 August is to replicate this success, promoting an idea of slow, sustainable and wide-ranging tourism, capable of rediscovering the inestimable value of the environmental heritage of Catanzaro Lido.