The Pino d’Aleppo Oriented Nature Reserve
Descrizione
The Pino d’Aleppo Oriented Nature Reserve spans approximately 3,000 hectares across the territories of Vittoria, Comiso, and Ragusa. Established in 1990, it is one of the largest protected regional areas and is home to the last natural stand of Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) in Sicily, part of the Natura 2000 Network (SCI Vallata del fiume Ippari). The vegetation includes pine forests, Mediterranean scrub, riparian zones, and extensive colonies of wild orchids. The fauna is highly diverse: many mammals and birds — including birds of prey and migratory species — coexist with reptiles and amphibians. The reserve is a valuable center for environmental studies, education, and sustainable tourism, offering hiking trails through woods and along the Ippari riverbanks. Managed by the Free Consortium of Ragusa, it faces challenges such as wildfires and river maintenance but remains a vital green lung for the Hyblean area.
