News

ISPRA and cetacean monitoring: the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative 2026 gets underway

In the summer of 2026, the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative will resume, the synoptic survey aimed at estimating the distribution and abundance of cetacean populations across the entire Mediterranean basin. The initiative, promoted by the countries participating in the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area (ACCOBAMS), relies on the coordinated use of naval and aerial assets to provide updated scientific data, following up on the first edition carried out in 2018.

Biodiversity Festival and INFO/RAC Infoday

Biodiversity Festival and INFO/RAC Infoday

On the occasion of World Biodiversity Day, May 22nd, the Volterra Scientific High School in Ciampino is promoting the Biodiversity Festival, a meeting aimed at sharing the activities carried out as part of the annual sustainability program.

The event will also host the Infoday, part of the School-Work Training Program (PFSL) "Environmental Governance Lessons: Discovering Actions for the Mediterranean Sea and Its Coasts" organized by the school in collaboration with the Regional Information and Communication Activity Center of the Barcelona Convention (INFO-RAC) of ISPRA.

Green&Blue Festival 2026

The Green&Blue Festival 2026 will be held in Milan from June 4 to 6, 2026, at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology. The event, focusing on sustainability and climate, will include three days of meetings, performances, and discussions with international experts.

The theme chosen for this edition is "We focusing on everyone's active role in building a sustainable world".

Seveso, 50 Years Later: From the Accident to the Innovation of Safety Culture

Fifty years after the Seveso industrial accident, on May 19, 2026, the Istituto Superiore Antincendi (Institute for Fire Prevention) in Rome will host an event that aims to transform historical memory into a moment of technical and scientific discussion on industrial safety. 1976 marked the birth of the culture of major-accident prevention in Europe, but today the legacy of the Seveso Directives must confront profoundly changed scenarios and new complexities.

Changing Climate, Responding Territory: Hydrogeological Instability and Risk Management Strategies

On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the approval of the Regional Law establishing the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sardinia (ARPAS), the conference "Changing Climate, Responding Territory: Hydrogeological Instability and Risk Management Strategies" will be held in Cagliari on May 27th.

The initiative represents an important opportunity for scientific and institutional discussion on climate change and the new challenges posed by the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

Map of Underground Cavities of Rome 2026

The Map of Underground Cavities of Rome 2026 represents a significant update to the current knowledge framework regarding the distribution of underground voids within the urban territory of Rome. The cartography was produced by integrating data from scientific literature, historical cartographic archives, institutional databases, archaeological maps, and direct investigations, enabling the mapping of the main types of underground cavities (quarries, catacombs, hypogea, hydraulic tunnels, and other underground infrastructures) as well as the development of a density map of hypogeal systems.

General States of the Environment 2026

The event is part of the Sustainable Development Festival 2026 promoted by ASviS - the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development.
The program focuses on strategic themes such as ecological transition, sustainable mobility, quality of urban life, energy and environmental innovation, and territorial participation and governance.
On May 23, Chiara Bolognini of ISPRA will participate in the roundtable discussion "Green Voices from Territories. Best Practices by Local Authorities".

ECOFORUM – Cinema for the Environment

On April 28, the second edition of Legambiente Bologna’s film series officially began, dedicated to those who want to look at the world with greater awareness, as well as to nature and biology enthusiasts.

Six films and documentaries explore some of the most pressing issues of recent years: the protection of biodiversity on land and at sea, the unsustainability of agri-food supply chains, forms of climate activism and resistance, and nature’s relentless ability to carry on and thrive despite countless challenges

European Day of Parks 2026

Healthy ecosystems do not exist in isolation: they thrive only when ecological connections are active — biological corridors, connected habitats, and landscapes that allow species to move, adapt, and flourish.

These connections often extend beyond the boundaries of any single Protected Area. To nurture nature, we must think beyond borders, restore links, build ecological networks, and create partnerships that bring together people, communities, and nature.

For this reason, the slogan of the 2026 Parks Day is “United by Nature.”

The European Day of Parks, celebrated on May 24, is a commemorative day dedicated to protected areas throughout Europe, established in 1999 by the EUROPARC Federation

Four Years of Monitoring Wild Pollinators in the Vesuvius National Park

On the occasion of World Bee Day and the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Vesuvius National Park is promoting the conference–excursion “Four Years of Monitoring Wild Pollinators in the Vesuvius National Park,” scheduled for May 14–15, 2026, between Ottaviano and Ercolano.

The conference will represent an important opportunity to present the results of four years of monitoring pollinator biodiversity within the territory of the Vesuvius National Park through the BeeVesuvius project.

ISPRA at EGU26: New Methodologies for Managing Posidonia Oceanica Seagrass Banquettes

The EGU General Assembly 2026 was held in Vienna from May 3 to 8.

ISPRA presented the results of the AMMIRARE project, with a specific focus on sustainable beach management. ISPRA researchers presented a scientific poster dedicated to the development of innovative methodologies for measuring Posidonia oceanica seagrass banquettes.

Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation

The Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation is now in its fourteenth edition, featuring a rich program of meetings, round tables, and thematic discussions ranging from artificial intelligence to the space economy, from life sciences to energy technologies.

Inauguration of the Agri Research and Teaching Center

Today, Campus Bio-Medico inaugurated the Agri Research and Teaching Center, an agro-biotech hub and integral part of the Applied Technology Park within the Social Green Masterplan, conceived as an advanced ecosystem integrating research, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.

The hub is designed as a high-tech multifunctional infrastructure, offering the opportunity for an integrated pathway relevant to various fields of research. It aligns with the bio-innovation sector in terms of sustainable sourcing and the enhancement of biological resources, further optimized through engineering and AI applications.

The multifunctional greenhouse, together with its experimental laboratory, has been conceived as an open hub based on the principles of energy security — a space where universities, research centers, and companies can meet and build concrete synergies.

Land Management and Urban Planning

As part of the IRIDELab project, dedicated to training Italian public administrations in the use of satellite data, the online workshop "Land Management and Urban Planning" will be held on May 26th.

Michele Munafò of ISPRA will participate with a presentation on "Land Management in Light of the Objectives of Halting Land Consumption and Restoring Nature".

National Conference on the Circular Economy 2026

The Circular Economy Network is organizing the National Conference on the Circular Economy 2026, now in its eighth year, on May 14th in Rome, under the patronage of the European Commission, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, and the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy. The conference will take place at the National Central Library.

Fire on Monte Faeta: Impacts on Forest Ecosystems. First 2026 Data on Wildfires in Italy

In the Province of Pisa, in the municipality of San Giuliano Terme, and in the Province of Lucca, in the municipalities of Lucca and Capannori, approximately 500 hectares of land were affected by wildfire between April 28 and May 2, of which 370 hectares were forest cover.

The statistics were processed by ISPRA on the basis of high-resolution satellite mapping and through the use of artificial intelligence applications to identify the forest ecosystems affected by the fires.

The area is characterized by an interface landscape between natural ecosystems and agriculturally oriented areas, with a significant presence of forested land. The burned area falls within the Special Area of Conservation “Monte Pisano,” a site belonging to the Natura 2000 Network.

According to ISPRA estimates, the forest ecosystem most severely affected by the fire was conifer woodland, with around 200 hectares burned. Holm oak forests were also affected over approximately 100 hectares, along with oak and chestnut forests covering an area of around 70 hectares.

Maria Alessandra Gallone, President of ISPRA and SNPA, stated: “Our forests constitute a natural capital of inestimable value, as they protect biodiversity, contribute to climate regulation, and provide essential ecosystem services for the community. Their protection requires continuous commitment, based on knowledge, innovation, and cooperation among institutions. The fire that affected Monte Faeta strongly draws attention to the strategic importance of environmental surveillance and the protection of our forest heritage. Fire prevention and management cannot be separated from a solid technical and scientific foundation; the work carried out by ISPRA makes it possible to continuously monitor the condition of ecosystems, providing reliable and timely data to support institutional decision-making. In this context, environmental surveillance represents not only a monitoring tool, but also an essential driver for the sustainable management of forest areas, helping to build a culture of prevention and greater territorial resilience. This is a responsibility that concerns us all, and one that ISPRA will continue to uphold with the utmost scientific and institutional rigor”.

Short Film “Wild Diary”

The short film “Wild Diary” produced at the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano during the residential workshop organized by the Pianeta Mare Film Festival, with the scientific support of ISPRA, received two special jury awards: the Institut Français Award and the Lago Film Festival Award. The video, created by the two young filmmakers Angelica Brachetti and Paola Cainiello, aimed to portray the behind-the-scenes activities of wildlife monitoring carried out by ISPRA on behalf of the Estate, providing the scientific data necessary for wildlife management, with particular reference to ungulates.

Prenestini Bioblitz – Mapping the Biodiversity of the Monte Guadagnolo SAC

As part of the initiative “25 Years Together for Biodiversity” promoted by the Museo Civico Naturalistico dei Monti Prenestini on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its activities, the bioblitz “Discovering the Biodiversity of the Monti Prenestini” will begin on June 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. and will conclude at 6:00 p.m. on the following day.

16th Edition of the Sustainable Development Award 2026

The Foundation for Sustainable Development and Ecomondo – Italian Exhibition Group announce the 16th edition of the Award for the year 2026. The Award is addressed to Italian companies, startups, local administrations, multiutilities, and publicly owned companies operating also within the Italian territory that have particularly distinguished themselves through eco-innovation, the effectiveness of their environmental and economic results, and the potential replicability of their initiatives.

For 2026, the Sustainable Development Award is divided into three sectors: Circular Economy, Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change, and Circularity of Urban Areas.

Reading Territories Through the Multidimensionality of Rural Tourism

ISPRA is taking part in the webinar series on rural tourism promoted by CREA Policies and Bioeconomy, within the framework of the CAP Network activities. The initiative, dedicated to the “data ecosystem in rural tourism,” aims to strengthen the use of statistical sources, big data, and indicators to improve knowledge of territories and support sustainability-oriented policies.

On 20 May 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the third online workshop, entitled “Reading Territories Through the Multidimensionality of Rural Tourism" will take place, concluding the series of meetings. The event focuses on measuring rural tourism and its application in planning and design, with reference to three dimensions: farms, food and wine offerings, and the environment.

World Migratory Bird Day 2026

Saturday, May 9th, is World Migratory Bird Day. The theme for 2026, "Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!", emphasizes the importance of citizen science for migratory bird conservation.

Focusing on individual contributions, citizen science, and public bird monitoring initiatives, the 2026 campaign will celebrate the millions of bird enthusiasts worldwide who, through every recorded observation, contribute to the collection of data and knowledge critical to policy decisions and bird conservation.

Summer School 2026 – Geological Surveying and CARG Mapping

September 8 (online) and Finale Ligure (SV), September 20–26, 2026

The Summer School aims to promote methodologies and criteria for geological surveying and mapping, as well as the conceptual organization of data and digital archiving systems, in accordance with the standards of the CARG Program.

The Summer School includes: one day of synchronous online training, field survey activities carried out in small groups under expert supervision, lectures, and practical exercises.

The program is intended for Master’s graduates, PhD candidates, and PhD holders in Geological Sciences with experience in geological surveying who are interested in deepening their knowledge of field data collection methodologies and geological data archiving, in line with the standards established for the Geological Map of Italy – CARG Program.

Students close to completing their Master’s degree, whose thesis work involves geological field surveying, may also apply; their applications will be considered subject to availability of places.

World Biodiversity Day 2026

May 22 is World Biodiversity Day, established by the United Nations to celebrate biodiversity—the richness of life at the level of ecosystems, species, and genes—on our planet.

The date of May 22 was chosen by the United Nations in 2000 to commemorate the official adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which took place in Nairobi on May 22, 1992.

The Convention on Biological Diversity pursues three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of its components; and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of these genetic resources, especially in cases of economic exploitation.

The ISPRA “Siren” Exploring the Seabed

In the Gulf of Naples and around Ischia, testing of the Hugin AUV: an underwater robot designed to observe submerged volcanoes and anticipate risks.

Like a modern Parthenope—silent and invisible—the “Siren” of science explores the seabed of the Gulf of Naples, speaks the language of the sea, reveals its signals, and understands its evolution. As part of the PNRR MER project (Marine Ecosystems Restoration), ISPRA has recently tested the Hugin AUV, an autonomous underwater vehicle capable of operating at depths of up to 3,000 meters, with the support of the vessel Astrea.

Maria Alessandra Gallone, President of ISPRA and SNPA:
“This activity represents a significant step forward in the use of autonomous technologies to monitor marine seabeds and acquire ultra-high-resolution data aimed at the morphological, geological, and environmental characterization of deep-sea areas. The Gulf of Naples is one of the most complex and sensitive environments in the Mediterranean Sea, making continuous monitoring essential to understand the evolution of natural processes and help reduce potential risks for populations and marine ecosystems.

The testing of the Hugin AUV in the Gulf of Naples and the Ischia area represents a concrete and strategic step in strengthening our country’s scientific and technological capabilities for understanding and protecting the marine environment. Thanks to the PNRR MER project, ISPRA is equipping itself with cutting-edge tools that allow us not only to gather fundamental data for research but also to develop increasingly accurate predictive models, contributing significantly to the prevention of natural risks and the safety of coastal communities, while confirming its role as a scientific reference supporting institutions, environmental protection, and citizens.”

Public Consultation 2026 on the Marine Strategy Monitoring Programs (Article 19 of Directive 2008/56/EC)

On May 5, 2026, pursuant to Article 16 of Legislative Decree 190/2010, the Public Consultation on the Marine Strategy Monitoring Programs, prepared by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security with the technical and scientific support of ISPRA, opened.
The documents submitted for consultation, already discussed by the Technical Committee pursuant to Article 5 of Legislative Decree 190/2010, refer to the 2027-2032 Marine Strategy Monitoring Programs for each of the 11 Descriptors and can be found on the page Public Consultation 2026 – Marine Strategy.

World Bee Day 2026

Pollinating insects play vital ecological roles that support global biodiversity, food security, and ecosystem balance. About 90% of the world’s wild flowering plants depend on insects for pollination in order to reproduce. It is also estimated that 75% of major global crops—including vegetables, fruits, nuts, and forage—benefit from insect pollination. Beyond agriculture, pollinators indirectly contribute to climate change mitigation by supporting the health of forests and natural ecosystems, which are essential for CO₂ absorption.

The status of pollinator populations in Italy is considered critical, reflecting the broader negative trend across Europe.

• Species at risk: around 22% of the 151 assessed native bee species are threatened with extinction.
• Main causes: habitat fragmentation, intensive agriculture, widespread pesticide use, and increasing pressure from climate change.

We all depend on pollinators. Monitoring their decline and taking action to halt biodiversity loss is essential—not only for protecting ecosystems, but also for safeguarding food systems and environmental stability.

Protection of pollinators, tools and practices: what actions are possible?

The initiative, through the involvement of representatives from institutional, production, environmental, and research sectors, aims—starting from the results of LIFE BEEadapt and the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) currently in place to support pollinators—to foster debate on the dissemination of good practices and on the synergies that can be developed to implement actions of interest for the protection of pollinators.

Wolf, ISPRA and SNPA President Gallone: “An alliance is urgently needed to stop illegality and conflicts”

ISPRA and SNPA President Maria Alessandra Gallone:
“As already reiterated in recent days, the reckless act of indiscriminately killing animals such as the wolf — a symbolic species of Italian biodiversity — risks undermining the results achieved over the past decades in terms of its protection and conservation.

It is necessary to establish as soon as possible a discussion forum that represents a concrete alliance with all stakeholders who live and work in these areas, responsibly and fairly supporting primary production while ensuring the safety of areas of extraordinary ecological value. This path will be essential to reduce existing conflicts and decisively combat illegality, which threatens not only a protected species but the entire wildlife heritage of these territories, including grazing livestock activities.”

Geodata in Ports: the New ISPRA Mapping of Italian Port Infrastructure

ISPRA Publishes Two New GeoDBs

Ports already occupied about 260 km of coastline in 2006, representing 5% of Italy’s entire low-lying coastline; by 2020, this figure had increased by 15 km, marking a 5% rise compared to 2006. The perspective changes when considering linear development—the total length of structures, piers, quays, and jetties of all port facilities—which reached 2,510 km in 2020, 20% more than what was recorded in 2006.

“We know what we can measure,” wrote Galileo Galilei, introducing the scientific method as we know it today. In response to pressing and continuous coastal erosion phenomena, as well as extraordinary events such as the recent Cyclone Harry, the agencies and institutions responsible for the safety and general management of coastal areas are taking action to monitor and measure the transformations occurring along the coastline, whether caused by natural processes or as a consequence of human activities.

For years, ISPRA has been developing and publishing national information layers with high-definition mapping of all the natural and artificial elements that characterize coastal systems. Starting from these maps—developed and integrated with sector publications, other historical cartographic references, and scientific surveys—two new GeoDBs are now being presented:

• Maritime Works Framework (AOM – Assetto Opere Marittime): including the digitization and characterization of all structures that can be defined, even partially, as port works, with their specific types, functions, usage conditions, historical development, ISTAT references, ownership by territorial authorities or public administrations, and declared or estimated berths.
• Port Transformation Areas (ATP – Aree di Trasformazione Portuali): including the digitization and characterization of polygons of Obstruction (occupation of seabed areas), Excavation (occupation of coastal land), and Alteration (modification of natural conditions within basins) for all coastal port works compared to their pre-construction state.

Third National Day for the Prevention and Mitigation of Hydrogeological Risk

Forecasts and Experiences for Effective Governance of Land Protection Policies

Italy is characterized by an almost permanent emergency related to severe landslides and floods, exacerbated by the ongoing climate changes affecting the Mediterranean area. Effective prevention and mitigation measures for hydrogeological risk can be implemented through a broader understanding of risk forecasting models and new intervention techniques.

Science and technology, however, are only two of the fundamental pillars for effective land protection; a third pillar is represented by public prevention policies and by the ability of local administrations to manage, in a coordinated way, both countermeasures and mitigation works. Despite the availability of considerable financial resources to address land instability issues, the weak link risks being the difficulty local authorities face in managing construction sites and intervention projects.

The Third National Day for the Prevention and Mitigation of Hydrogeological Risk therefore aims to identify, through the participation of numerous institutional stakeholders and experts, a better governance model for policies aimed at safeguarding the country’s environmental and urban heritage.