CANAL NOVO VALLEY regional nature reserve
Text by Glauco Vicario.
The Canal Novo Valley nature reserve is made up of a former valley, from where it takes its name, and some arable land. Considering its proximity to the inhabited town of Marano, a lagoon visitor centre has been built inside the reserve. An innovative project and the first of its kind in Italy, protecting the environment at the same time as enjoying it, promoted and implemented by the Municipality of Marano Lagunare in cooperation with the regional authorities.
Based on the British “Wetlands Centre” model, this centre is made up of a number of buildings built in the same style as the local “casoni” (traditional fishermen’s huts), which act as restrooms, restaurant, educational centre and observatory with views over the surrounding environment. This is a centre for interpretation, education and nature conservation, protecting the lagoon’s heritage, with educational facilities for experimentation and scientific research.
The lagoon aquarium
In addition to the huts and equipment to observe the bird life and better understand the lagoon environment inside the reserve, a lagoon aquarium has also recently been completed. This aquarium is a simple way to “dive into” the lagoon and discover the various creatures that live in this extraordinary environment, amid both fresh and salt water.
Most of the tanks are displayed in settings that perfectly recreate the main lagoon habitats: the river mouth, the salt marsh, the “paluo” (“swamp”), the canals and the dunes.
The reserve has also been enriched with a new educational area: the Environmental Interaction Prehistoric Area (“ArIA”).
The reserve is open all year round.
Winter opening hours (16th September – 15th May)
From Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 17.00.
Summer opening hours (16th May – 15th September)
From Tuesday to Friday from 9.00 to 18.00
Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 to 19.00
Ticket prices to enter the reserve:
Adult € 3,50
Concession € 2,50 (students, pensioners, disabled visitors)
Entry is free for children under six and teachers accompanying school trips.
For information and bookings:
“Canal-Novo Valley” Nature Reserve
Visitor centre – Reserve office
Via delle Valli, 2 – 33050 Marano Lagunare UD
open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 17.00
Tel. +39 0431 67551 – Fax +39 0431 67930