ReSea Sports Activity – Italy
📍Venues: Floristic Area No. 106, Pesaro, Italy
👥 Organised by NAUTILUS
ReSea Sports Coastal Restoration Activity Removes Invasive Species in Italy
As part of the ReSea Sports project, a coastal restoration activity took place on 31 May 2026 in Pesaro, Italy, engaging sports practitioners, environmental educators, and local stakeholders in a hands-on effort to protect and regenerate a valuable coastal ecosystem.
Organised by NAUTILUS, the intervention was carried out in Floristic Area No. 106, a coastal environment of significant ecological value connected to habitats protected under the Natura 2000 Network. The activity combined environmental education with practical conservation work, demonstrating how sports communities can actively contribute to the restoration of natural environments.
Activities Carried Out
Educational Session
The activity began with an introduction led by environmental educators from CEA, who presented the ecological importance of coastal dune habitats and the challenges posed by invasive alien species. Participants learned how Carpobrotus spp. (ice plant) spreads rapidly across dune systems, suppressing native vegetation and reducing biodiversity.
The session also highlighted the role of native dune species, such as Ammophila arenaria, in stabilising the coastline and supporting healthy coastal ecosystems.
Field Restoration Activity
Following the educational briefing, participants moved into the field to carry out the manual removal of Carpobrotus plants from selected dune areas.
Club members, instructors, and summer camp participants worked together to carefully remove the invasive plants and their root systems, helping to prevent regrowth and support the recovery of native vegetation. The intervention provided a practical opportunity to connect environmental awareness with direct conservation action.
Key Outcomes
- Increased awareness of the ecological value of coastal dune ecosystems and the threats posed by invasive species.
- Active participation of sports club members and young participants in a hands-on restoration initiative.
- Strengthened collaboration between environmental experts, local institutions, and the sports community.
- Launch of a longer-term restoration programme, with additional field sessions planned throughout the summer to support biodiversity recovery and coastal resilience.
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