FIELD TRIPS
INDEX
- Pre Congress – Park of (Parco regionale dei) Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa
- Pre Congress – San Marino: between culture and nature
- Pre Congress – Bologna Museum Tour
- Field Trip – Bat Night on the Hills of Bologna
- Post Congress – Exploring the natural and cultural heritage of the Emilia-Romagna region, from Comacchio and its valleys to Ravenna and its mosaics
- Post Congress – Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park
1. Pre Congress – Park of (Parco Regionale dei) Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa
Location: Hills approx. 20 minutes’ drive from Bologna’s center
Meeting Point: Piazza di Porta San Donato, 5 at 9:45 am
Monday, June 17th 2024, 10:00 am to 03:30/04:00 pm
Visit caves, forests, and meadows that are frequented by an equally rich community of animal species. Located on the Apennine hills of Bologna, the area hosts a vegetation characterized by Mediterranean presences and also by plant and animal species that are typical of higher altitudes. The field trip could involve the following stops:
- Spipola Doline and Cave: Depending on the numbers of interested participants, the attendees could be allowed in the cave – an exceptional prerogative.
- Ex Cava a Filo and Monte Castello: A sinkhole that exposed paleontological finds from the Wurmian era, including a cervid skull (megacero) and numerous prehistoric bison bones (Bison priscus).
- Packed lunch and stop at local resting area.
- Oasi fluviale del Molino Grande: Riparian forest of the Idice stream with monumental trees and avifauna and wildlife typical of floodplain areas. There are also bat, bird and insect boxes that will be illustrated.
Speleological visit: the speleological visit goes into a cave for about 500 meters; the route is simple, almost horizontal and without significant dangers; however, it requires agility because some points force you to walk on all fours; the cave is natural and requires clothing suitable for the temperature of the cave (12° C) and the muddy ground ; the organization will provide individual lights and helmets.
Notes: Our major “field guide” (supported by local conservation biologists) will be David Bianco Responsabile dell’Area Ambiente, Ente di gestione per i Parchi e la Biodiversità. David is enthusiastic about his protected areas, governmental work, with excellent ecological background and also a great communicator.
Capacity (people): min One Bus max Three Busses
Difficulty for hikers (easy, medium effort, difficult): medium
Length (approx km walked for whole trip): 7 km (5+2)
Elevational gain (approx <200m; 200-400m; 400+m): <200m
Price: € 65 (VAT included)
The visit includes:
- An English speaking tour leader
- Private transportation
- Packed lunch
The visit will be held only with a minimum of 30 people.
2. Pre Congress – San Marino: between culture and nature
Location: Republic of San Marino, city centre
Meeting Point: Piazza di Porta San Donato, 5, at 7:45 am
Monday, June 17th 2024, 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
You will visit one of the smallest European microstates and the oldest Republic in the world. Located in central Italy, at around 100 km from Bologna, San Marino has surprisingly succeeded in maintaining its independence during the centuries.
Join the excursion to view beautiful landscapes, learn some curiosities about San Marino’s culture, and taste traditional food!
During the visit, you will also meet some researchers involved in studying and conserving local biodiversity.
Capacity (people): min 30 – max 50
Difficulty for hikers: easy (nevertheless, in San Marino city centre there are many ups and downs)
Length: 2-3 km
Elevational gain: 200 m
Notes: No packed lunch; there will be free time for lunch
Price: € 65 (VAT included)
The visit includes:
- An English speaking tour leader and guide
- Private transportation
The visit will be held only with a minimum of 30 people.
3. Bologna Museum Tour
Meeting point: Collezione di Zoologia, Via F. Selmi at 9:15
Monday, June 17th 2024, 9:30 am
An exclusive tour for approximately 20 people at the Zoological Collection of the University, Palazzo Poggi and the Museum of the Students of the University of Bologna. This tour offers a unique experience in the cultural heart of Bologna, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the rich history and academic innovation of the University. You will have the opportunity to showcase your commitment to culture, education, and local history. The Bolognese Senate purchased Palazzo Poggi in 1711 to host the Institute of Sciences and Arts. Palazzo Poggi currently hosts the ancient collections dedicated to geography and navigation, military architecture, physics, natural history, chemistry, human anatomy, and obstetrics, alongside the sixteenth-century Aldrovandian museum. This tour also includes the charming Museum of the Students of the University of Bologna, where the evolution of the university traditions of the oldest university in the world is exhibited, and the Zoological Collection, where you can stroll around and look at the creatures which have been living on our planet. Game trophies, two great dioramas of Italian environments, an Indian Rhinoceros and a Sunfish: everything in one place!
Price: € 8 (VAT included)
The price includes:
- Tickets
- Supporting volunteers
The visit will have a maximum of 20 people.
4. Bat Night on the Hills of Bologna
Location: 6 km from the city center of Bologna, Regional natural park and Natura 2000 site “Gessi Bolognesi, Calanchi dell’Abbadessa” (Under Birds Directive and Habitats Directive of the European Union, EU).
Meeting Point: Piazza di Porta San Donato, 5 at 7:30 am
Wednesday, June 18th/19th 2024, 07:45 pm – 10:30 pm
The “Parco dei Gessi” is a unique Natural Park just outside the city of Bologna that hosts over 200 karst caves, cavities and an exceptional bidioversity. Numerous species of bats live in the area, exploiting this carsic mosaic: there are at least 19 bat species of which 8 are of critical conservation value.
After a bit of a chat with biologists and park guides about the biology and main conservation issues, attendees will participate to a sunset excursion to observe bats exiting from natural roosts and engaging in hunting activities. Special ultrasound microphones to detect species flying and night viewers will be used to have a spark of what bat-life is made of. So, what are you waiting for? Come join with us and let’s have a real chiropterologist experience!
The event will also be part of the events promoted by The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats, www.eurobats.org.
Important info:
It is mandatory to arrive at the bus on time (being late would compromise the entire bat night), with appropriate clothing (hiking boots, comfortable pants, etc.), equipped with a headlamp if you have one (no flashlights that would disturb the animals), possibly with a k-way/poncho (it might rain) and with dinner (+water) in a sack as we will finish late.
Notes: Useful links
Location of the Spipola Cave: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XkF36VYbKGAF1tcPA
Information on this Natura 2000 site: https://biodiversity.europa.eu/sites/natura2000/IT4050001
Information on EUROBATS: https://www.eurobats.org/international_bat_night
Capacity (people): max One Buss per night
Difficulty for hikers (easy, medium effort, difficult): medium
Length (approx km walked for whole trip): 4 Km
Elevational gain (approx <200m; 200-400m; 400+m): <200m
Price: € 39 (VAT included)
The visit includes:
- An English speaking tour leader
- Private transportation
The visit will have a maximum of 20 people.
5. Post Congress – Exploring the natural and cultural heritage of the Emilia-Romagna region, from Comacchio and its valleys to Ravenna and its mosaics
Location: Comacchio, Po Delta Regional Park and Ravenna
Meeting Point: Piazza di Porta San Donato, 5 at 8:15 am
Saturday, June 22nd 2024, 08:30 am to 06:30/07:00 pm
This itinerary provides a mix of natural beauty in Comacchio and the Po Delta, along with the rich cultural heritage of Ravenna. Leaving Bologna, you will reach the charming town of Comacchio, famous as “Little Venice” for its network of canals and bridges. You will visit Trepponti, an iconic five-arched bridge, and explore the historic center with colorful houses and lively squares. Then, you will do a boat ride to the Po Delta Regional Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to explore the wetlands and you will have lunch at Bettolino di Foce. In the afternoon, continuing towards Ravenna you stop in Punte Alberete, a freshwater wetland, characterized by an ancient geomorphology, and hosting many species of birds and various reptiles of great interest. Finally, you will arrive in Ravenna to see the city and its Byzantine mosaics (UNESCO World Heritage sites) to end the day in a local trattoria to eat traditional Romagna food.
Program:
8:30: departure
10:00: arrival at Comacchio and visit of Historical Center Here, you can visit one or both the museums in the city:
https://www.museodeltaantico.com/accessibilita/biglietteria/
12:00: departure from Comacchio
12:30: arrival at Ravenna
12:45: lunch at Osteria Passatelli
13:45: Visit of Ravenna monuments
18:30/19:00: Departure from Ravenna
Capacity (people): min 30 max 40
Difficulty for hikers (easy, medium effort, difficult): easy
Length (approx km walked for whole trip): all day or two days (sleeping in Ravenna).
Elevational gain (approx <200m; 200-400m; 400+m): < 200 m
Price: € 90 (VAT included)
The visit includes:
- An English speaking tour leader
- Private transportation
- Ticket for Ravenna museum
- Ticket Comacchio Museum Pass
- Packed lunch
The visit will be held only with a minimum of 30 people.
6. Post Congress – Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park
Location: From Passo della Calla to Eremo di Camaldoli, Stia, AR. Approx 2 hr driving from Bologna
Meeting Point: Piazza di Porta San Donato, 5 at 7:45 am
Saturday, June 22nd 2024, 08:00 am to 08:30 pm
Beautiful hike on a ridge trail on the watershed between Tuscany and Romagna. The hike starts at Passo della Calla (mt.1296) and follows the “Alta Via dei Parchi”, along the border of the Sasso Fratino Strict reserve, one of the most valuable old-growth forests of Italy. The trail touches a series of middle elevation summits always remaining in the shade of beech and silver fir forest, which here and there opens to allow the sight of the Romagna side of the national park, including the Ridracoli Dam. After passing Prato al Soglio, the trail takes the right and descends towards the Sacred Hermitage of Camaldoli. After a short visit to the Hermitage of Camaldoli, we will be picked up by the bus for returning to Passo della Calla, and back to Bologna.
Notes:
Link to a description of the tour: https://it.wikiloc.com/percorsi-escursionismo/passo-della-calla-eremo-di-camaldoli-16305680
The tour will be complemented with a stop in the National Park visitor center in the town of Santa Sofia, where the participants will learn about the nature and culture of the Park, including some aspects of the peasant civilization that populated the Apennines before the abandonment of the mountain. If time allows, we will also visit che Eremo di Camaldoli. Established in 2017, the Camaldoli hermitage and the nearby Monastery became one of the most significant examples of how monastic management contributed to the conservation and propagation of environmental and naturalistic values.
Capacity (people): min 30 people max 50 people
Difficulty for hikers (easy, medium effort, difficult): medium
Length (approx km walked for whole trip): 10 km
Elevational gain (approx <200m; 200-400m; 400+m): 200-400
Price: € 78 (VAT included)
The visit includes:
- An English speaking tour leader
- Private transportation
- Packed lunch
The visit will be held only with a minimum of 30 people.
