The project Life SEPOSSO was presented to schools that have joined the contest “Celebrating the Environment”, in the educational context of the meeting dedicated to Earth Day, Friday, April 20, 2018, from 9 to 12, in the Sala Vincenzo Palumbo on the 1st floor of the Antonello da Messina Palacultura, Viale Boccetta, 343 Messina (ME).
The contest “Celebrating the Environment”, sponsored by the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea, by VIII Territorial Area of Messina, the Metropolitan City of Messina and the Foundation Heritage Site Sicily, addressed to teachers and students of the school institutes of every order and degree of the City, it is proposed to bring the young generations closer to an eco-sustainable culture, having as centers of interest the resources of the Earth, Biodiversity, Water Resources and New Lifestyles.
The goal of the day, was to raise awareness among young people of an eco-sustainable culture, considering the resources of the Earth as a focal point. Stretched for a thousand kilometers from North to South, Italy hosts a variety of unique environmental situations in Europe, which together with 57,000 animal species and 6,700 plant species forms a priceless heritage of biodiversity. This wealth, however, is put in constant danger from the human activities. Often destructive actions have dramatically impacted on fragile ecosystems such as coastal dune environments and the Mediterranean prairies of P. oceanica.
During the event Professor Sebastiano Calvo of the University of Palermo, explained the features and the importance of the Posidonia oceanica habitat and its ecological role., as well as the transplantation techniques carried out to compensate the damages caused to the prairies by coastal works and infrastructures. Prof. Calvo in his speech highlighted the importance of respect for the prairies of P. oceanica and of the Natura 2000 marine sites. He also described the ongoing activities in the context of the Life SEPOSSO project, the definition and application of good practices, the development of innovative software tools to increase the effectiveness of planning and control of P. oceanica transplantation activities.
In addition to the Life SEPOSSO, the Life ConRaSi, Life Whale Safe, Life CSMON projects were presented.
