30 September 2025
Press Release
TODAY IN LATINA, LIFE BEEADAPT PROMOTES THE PROTECTION OF POLLINATING INSECTS WITH A WORKSHOP
Green infrastructures in agriculture and urban areas: LIFE BEEAdapt, the European project that benefits agriculture and improves the livability of our cities
In the Agro Pontino area, 6 farms and 20 signatories of the Pact for the Protection of Pollinators are engaged. In Aprilia, Parco Europa has been redeveloped with 26 new trees and a 343-meter-long shrub hedge.
LATINA – Protecting wild pollinating insects is the focus of LIFE BEEadapt, European project that, since 2022, has involved several farms in the Agro Pontino area and a park in the Municipality of Aprilia. The project is in its final year of operation, and the best practices developed during interventions in these areas were shared with local farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, students, and researchers during the workshop “Green infrastructure in agriculture and urban settings and interventions expected by LIFE BEEadapt”, held this morning at the Provincial Agricultural Consortium of Latina.
Climate change, pesticide pollution, and unsustainable intensive agricultural practices threaten the existence of pollinating insects, which are essential for the health of ecosystems and agricultural production. Local stakeholders must become aware of potential threats and possible solutions. This workshop was therefore organized with the aim of providing participants with the tools to replicate these actions on their own farms or in their areas of expertise, while also providing a theoretical framework to better understand future prospects.
During the morning, the impact of climate change on wild bees and butterflies was discussed with Dino Biancolini, CNR-IBE; green infrastructure in agriculture was presented by Claudio Carpineti, Confagricoltura Latina; interventions to support pollinating insects and their inclusion within the project’s governance system were explained by Carolina Pozzi, Roma Tre University; and finally, Marco Paccosi of the Municipality of Aprilia showcased green infrastructure and urban redevelopment in his city. The workshop was organized and moderated by Legambiente.
“The link between agricultural production and pollinators has long been known,” reports Luigi Niccolini, President of Confagricoltura Latina. “With the decline or disappearance of these, agriculture and the services connected to it are at risk. For this reason, especially in this area where agriculture plays a central role in the local economy, it is essential to undertake initiatives like those promoted by LIFE BEEadapt to protect not only pollinators but also the socioeconomic system. >>
Two main actions were implemented on the participating farms (six in the Agro Pontino area, four in the Municipality of Aprilia): the creation of shrubby hedges and the installation of beehotels, special structures that provide shelter for certain pollinator species. In addition to these, interventions were also carried out in urban areas in Aprilia, as Marco Paccosi, Director of the “Environment and Ecology” department of the Municipality of Aprilia, explains:
<< Today, the majority of the world’s population lives in urban areas: making them greener is essential for people’s health and for biodiversity. Aprilia also wants to do its part: thanks to the LIFE BEEadapt project, 26 trees have been planted in Europa Park, a 343-meter-long hedge of over 500 shrubs has been created, a 1,445-square-meter wildflower meadow has been sown, and 10 beehotels have been installed. This is a new green culture that will bring improvements to the environment we live in and therefore to us too.>>
More than just demonstration actions: the “Pact for the Protection of Pollinators from Climate Change” is still underway, a governance tool that has been signed by 20 entities in the Agro Pontino area. With this commitment, the various entities are committed to implementing interventions to support pollinating insects, including the practice of delayed mowing and the planting of wildflower meadows.
The morning concluded with a stimulating discussion among participants, who were able to discuss the needs of their farms, identifying strengths and weaknesses of interventions like those proposed by the project, and finding or proposing solutions.
Today continues at Parco Europa in Aprilia, where at 4:00 PM, a workshop will be held for girls and boys who want to learn more about pollinating insects. The event is being held in collaboration with the Amici della Luce Association – Aprilia branch and the Toscanini Neighborhood Committee. At the end of the initiative, seeds of plants that encourage the presence of pollinators will be planted. This small awareness-raising action can have a huge impact: making Parco Europa even more fragrant and welcoming for pollinating insects and for us.
Press Office
Elisa Leo
+39 3474066702 | e.leo@legambiente.it
The LIFE BEEadapt project is co-financed by the European Union through the LIFE financial instrument and involves ten partners: Parco nazionale degli Appennini tosco-emiliani, as coordinator; Università di Camerino; Fondazione per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto per la Bioeconomia; Confagricoltura Latina; Università di Roma Tre – Dipartimento di Architettura; Roma Natura; Legambiente; Comune di Aprilia; U-SPACE.
