SIMON PARC: innovation and community for the future of the Ugento Coastline
Staff
30/07/2025
Project sheet
The project SIMON PARC (Soluations Innovations for the MONitoring, preservation, enhancement and restoration of the biodiversity of the PARCo) was created within the Litorale di Ugento Regional Natural Park to respond to the growing effects of anthropogenic impacts and climate change. The project combines scientific research, education and civic participation, promoting a model of integrated and sustainable management of coastal and terrestrial ecosystems.
Keywords
Enhancement
Project name
SIMON PARC: innovation and community for the future of the Ugento CoastlineDuration
20 months
Location
Apulia
Responsible organisation
NBFC
Macro-objective
Enhancement
Goals
The Litorale di Ugento Regional Nature Park is an ecological mosaic of marine, terrestrial and transitional environments. However, these habitats are exposed to severe pressures from tourism, urbanization and climate change. The challenge is to protect and enhance biodiversity., combining scientific knowledge and local community involvement in a shared and replicable conservation strategy.
The objectives of the project
The project is divided into three main areas, each with specific goals:
- Scientific research and conservation
- Expand and qualify biodiversity monitoring
- Analyze the abiotic characteristics of the area
- Assess the presence of species of community interest (Habitats and Birds Directives).
- Education and outreach
- Promoting innovative solutions for ecological restoration
- Making scientific results accessible to institutions and citizens
- Engaging local people through educational activities
- Territorial participation
- Support/Support more sustainable economic practices.
- Creating networks among stakeholders for skills transfer
- Integrating management activities with local knowledge
Stakeholders involved
People and partners
The project involves a wide network of actors:
- Citizens and local stakeholders
- Tour operators, environmental guides, associations
- Professional and recreational fishermen
- Schools and visitors
- Law enforcement agencies (Forestry Carabinieri, Fire Department, Environmental Police)
- Regional Irrigation and Forestry Agency, Civil Defense
Main expected results
| SIMON PARC aims to build an adaptive monitoring system, update the status of protected species, improve governance e enhance local ecological knowledge.
This strengthens the resilience of the area and promotes a shared culture of biodiversity among institutions and citizens. |
Dissemination results
In the coming months, the SIMON PARC will focus on concretizing the expected results, placing special emphasis on knowledge sharing and the possibility of replicating the model in other contexts as well. One of the key steps will be the creation of a GIS database accessible not only to researchers and scientists, but also to local authorities e citizens. This digital tool will make it possible to view, consult e update in real time information collected in the field, facilitating biodiversity management more transparent and participatory within the park.
In parallel, a system of indicators based on the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Accessible, Relevant, Timely) methodology, useful for monitor over time results and theimpact Of the actions implemented. These indicators will help to understand how effective the strategies adopted are and to modify the interventions in a flexible way, thanks to hard data. Finally, the results will be disseminated through a rich program of educational, popular and participatory activities. The goal is to return to the local community and other stakeholders not only scientific data, but also a new way of looking at the territory, capable of stimulating awareness and active participation. Because of the soundness of the method and the flexibility of the project, SIMON PARC aims to become a role model for other protected areas, offering a replicable example of environmental innovation at the national level.
