On Saturday 11 October, as part of the Deep Green Festival at the Ex Cartiera in Latina, along the historic Via Appia, we had the pleasure and opportunity to present a preview of the ARCARoma project: a research, conservation and environmental education initiative dedicated to amphibians and aquatic invertebrates in urban and peri-urban areas of the capital.
The presentation attracted considerable interest and participation, confirming its value as a forum for discussion among researchers, management bodies, professionals, industry operators and nature enthusiasts. The event was not only an opportunity to illustrate the scientific aims of the project, but also an important space for dialogue to discuss potential collaborations with institutions, parks and reserves in the Rome area.
The positive response from those present reinforced our conviction that even in a highly urbanised context such as Rome, there are habitats of high ecological value that deserve attention, protection and enhancement. It is precisely in these areas that the ARCARoma project intends to operate, promoting concrete actions for monitoring, management and awareness-raising, with particular attention to the most threatened species such as amphibians and bioindicators such as aquatic invertebrates.
During the meeting, we had the opportunity to share the guidelines that inspire our approach: integrating scientific research, environmental education and public participation to build a new vision of the city as a living ecosystem. A place where institutions, citizens and the world of research can collaborate for the active protection of local biodiversity.
We are convinced that only through synergistic and multidisciplinary work will it be possible to address the challenges associated with habitat loss, pollution and the spread of invasive alien species, while promoting a more aware and involved citizenry.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to ANBA, the Naturalistic Association for Biodiversity and the Environment, for its support in organising the event, and to nature photographer Davide Ambu, who generously made his photographs available, helping to convey the beauty and fragility of urban aquatic environments through images. The photographs are available at the following address: https://wildperegrine.com.
