An Oasis in the City
Greenery is everywhere in the Sorrentine Peninsula.
The trees that line the sidewalks and the gardens on balconies add to the peninsula’s aesthetic.
It is a gorgeous place that plant lovers like myself, love to see!
However, on this peninsula, a park hides in the middle of Sant’Agnello, a small city close to Sorrento.
This park is the “Oasi in Città” (Oasis in the City).
This place is home to around 6,000 plants and 70 tree species.
Almost all these plants are native to the peninsula. The park is on a 4,000-square-meter plot of land over an underground parking garage.
The plants and few animals thrive in this environment and are constantly tended to.
It is a peaceful place where anyone can sit and enjoy nature.
The Beauty of the Park
A leaf tunnel at the entrance of this peaceful place sparks my and others’ curiosity to explore it.
All outside sounds fade as the garden transports its guests.
This world has the sounds of birds chirping and lizards scurrying along the ground.
I have never been in such a bright green place before. But it has splashes of purples, pinks, yellows, and oranges.
After taking in the bright greenery, I notice a sign with a map on it.
The map divides the park into numbered sections from one to seventeen. These seventeen locations make up the entirety of the park.
Exploring these locations is a pleasant stroll on gravel paths. The path forks and winds around my feet as I explore.
Sometimes, I end up off the main paths to see more of the park.
However, scattered along these paths are sitting areas. Guests can sit and soak in the tranquility of this place.
All of them have a scenic view covered in green. However, bugs do not take too kindly to people sitting, so it is important to remember to bring bug spray!
Despite the bugs, the main feature of this park is a beautiful pond with fish in it.
This pond is home to lilypads, water lotus, algae, and many other plants.
It showcases the different plants that are native and not native to Italy.
The rest of the park is a testament to this. There is a combination of native and non-native plant species marked by signs.
These signs also give insightful facts to guests who have come to explore the park.
The signs have a small panda bear with a WWF logo at the bottom.
It leaves everyone wondering what it is and who created this place.
Who Created the "Oasi in Città"?
A quick Google search shows that the panda logo with WWF marks the brand of the World Wildlife Fund.
The WWF helps local communities conserve the natural resources they depend on, transform policies toward sustainability, and protect and restore species and their habitats.
However, there is more to it than the WWF.
The creators of this tranquil park are the local government and the World Wildlife Fund’s Italian Chapter.
Furthermore, this park is one of many in a campaign by the Italian Chapter called “ReNature Italy“.
ReNature Italy aims to restore and protect fragmented or destroyed habitats and species.
The campaign aims to do this in 1 million square meters around Italy.
“Oasi in Città” is one of these restored and protected habitats. However, this project is between protecting and restoring.
Protection works to protect and improve established habitats.
Additionally, the protection’s goal is to contribute to the preservation of 30% of land and sea areas by 2023.
The restoration side aims to restore destroyed and fragmented habitats. In addition, the main goal of restoration is to re-establish at least 15% of Italian territory and share 10% of agricultural land with nature.
The ReNature Italy campaign has started a delicate process of creating more protected habitats.
However, the WWF Italy Chapter is not alone.
Procter and Gamble and Etifor joined this initiative by spreading awareness and retrieving certificates for WWF Italy to continue its work.
Steps Moving Forward
As I leave the park, a part of me knows I will always miss the beauty of this place.
But the other part of me knows it will always stand out as a reason to protect and restore nature.
This park is a great example of how the campaign is restoring and protecting habitats in Italy.
The ReNature Italy campaign is a step to help these habitats and species thrive.
Currently, there is a network of over 100 oases in land and marine protected areas.
These areas are conservation priority areas at a national and global level.
Furthermore, “Oasi in Città” is one of these areas.
This park is an important step in preserving the environment and the species that live in it.
It serves as a reminder for everyone to aid in conservation efforts so the habitats and the species in them can thrive.
Ciao!
Emalee
