On 10 July, the first public excursion of the BioTiles project, funded by the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia Programme 2021–2027, took place. A group of participants from local associations explored the stretch between the Stella River and the Marano Lagoon by Canadian canoe, accompanied by local guides.
The route began at Bilancia di Pepi, a curious name deriving from an ancient fishing technique: a square net stretched over two crossed arches, immersed in the water and then quickly lifted using a long pole, trapping the fish inside.
From there, the group travelled upstream along the Stella River, which originates in Flambro and flows into the Marano Lagoon.
During the excursion, the guides explained how even seemingly small choices can make a significant difference in protecting these ecosystems. One notable example is Spartina maritima (sea cordgrass), planted to protect the barene – the typical lagoon wetlands that are submerged only during high tide. Its roots help stabilise the mud and contribute to slowing down the erosion of the banks.
Participants also passed by the casoni, traditional fishermen’s dwellings built from reeds and wood. These characteristic structures can still be found throughout the lagoon, despite the passage of time and the constantly changing tides.
There were also several encounters with local wildlife. In addition to the swans, which are characteristic of these environments, the group spotted a pair of Eurasian oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus), birds that nest exclusively on beaches and are becoming increasingly rare due to growing human pressure on coastal areas.
The excursion concluded by crossing the mouth of the river and briefly entering the open lagoon before returning to the starting point. This first outing was part of the environmental awareness activities of the BioTiles project and marked the first in a series of public events designed to offer a closer look at the lagoon’s biodiversity and highlight the fundamental importance of protecting it.
