News

Protection and Enhancement of Soil in Territorial Governance Processes

On 25 May 2026, a study day dedicated to the research themes developed by Prof. Bernardino Romano will take place at the Aula Magna of the San Basilio Congress Center in L’Aquila. Through this event, the University of L'Aquila and the DICEAA Department intend to commemorate his scientific legacy, now carried forward and further developed by the PLANECO Research Center, as well as by all those who shared with him ideas, projects, and conceptual and operational challenges that territorial planning is called upon to address. The initiative aims to recall and enhance a body of studies and practices that continues to provide interpretative and methodological tools for those working today along the same lines of research and action. The day will conclude with the award ceremony of the first edition of the BiRO Prize, established in memory of Prof. Romano.

Experts from ISPRA will take part in the event.

Weather and Climate Between Science and Social Media

Today’s tools to inform tomorrow in the new communication landscape

The event aims to bring together experts and professionals in the field to reflect on the role of weather communication between scientific rigor and new media.

In recent decades, the methods used to communicate meteorological and climatological information to the public have undergone profound changes, driven both by the development of data-processing technologies and by the emergence of new forms of mass communication.

TEF – Taranto Eco Forum

Now in its fourth edition, the event has become a national benchmark for environmental sustainability and innovation. It is preparing to further expand both the quality and the scope of the debate, reaffirming a national, practical, and targeted approach aimed at ensuring the full accessibility of its content, in line with European projects and macro-trends.

The new issue of RETICULA, ISPRA’s technical-scientific journal, is now online

The issue 41 of RETICULA, the technical-scientific journal published by ISPRA and dedicated to ecological connectivity and green infrastructure in land-use and landscape planning, is now available online.

The editorial of the new issue focuses on Mediterranean wetlands, essential ecosystems for biodiversity and climate regulation, highlighting their strategic role as Nature-based Solutions.

“Resilient by Nature”:EEA Photo Competition 2026

For all European citizens passionate about photography, the European Environment Agency has today launched the EEA 2026 photo competition entitled “Resilient by Nature,” with the aim of exploring the special relationship that connects us to nature. Harmony, Disruption, and Renewal are the three competition categories, designed to present a comprehensive overview of nature’s resilience — how ecosystems function, how they are disrupted, and how they are being restored.

The sea in the laboratory: the mesocosm, a miniature ecosystem for producing plankton

At the Livorno Aquarium, the experimental phase of the “sea farm” project led by ISPRA is underway.

An advanced platform capable of simulating marine ecosystem conditions, the mesocosm has been installed inside one of the aquarium’s tanks. It is an experimental system enclosed by a fine-mesh net and used for the production of zooplankton in a controlled environment.

The mesocosm is one of the key components of the European project AQuaBioS – “The Sea Farm: for Organic and Sustainable Aquaculture” funded by the Interreg Italy-France Maritime Programme 2024–2027. The project is now entering its central operational phase with the launch of experimental activities dedicated to developing innovative models of sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean.

Coordinated by ISPRA, the project represents one of the most advanced initiatives in the Euro-Mediterranean area focused on the ecological transition of the fisheries sector and the promotion of a sustainable blue economy. With a total budget of approximately €1.8 million, the project aims to develop low environmental impact systems for breeding marine zooplankton, integrating scientific innovation, ecosystem protection, and the economic sustainability of the supply chain.

Workshop MoMaRi Project (Monitoring Macrolitter in Rivers)

As part of the Institute’s activities within the IMPEL network projects, the workshop of the MoMaRi project (Monitoring Macrolitter in Rivers) will take place in Fiumicino on 20–21 May, focusing on the monitoring of floating macro litter in rivers at the river mouth.

In addition to experts from ISPRA, the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPAs), and the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), the initiative will also involve environmental experts from other European countries participating in the IMPEL network.The workshop will include a seminar session, organized in collaboration with the Capitaneria di Porto di Roma Fiumicino, as well as practical monitoring activities carried out directly on the Tiber River.

 The IMPEL Network (European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law) is an international association of environmental authorities. It connects public regulators across Europe to share best practices, harmonize environmental policies, and ensure EU environmental laws are applied consistently and effectively through collaborative projects and training.

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.