WELCOME to the night heron oasis
Established with regional laws n. 26 of 1987 and n. 97 of 1989, the Lake Penne Regional Nature Reserve extends for 150 hectares, with an external protection zone that exceeds 1000 hectares.
The Reserve is managed by a committee, with the Municipality of Penne, the Central Reclamation Consortium and WWF Italy; the Municipality has also appointed, for operational and technical management,the COGECSTRE cooperative.
Thanks to the numerous projects carried out, the Vestina protected area today represents an important sustainable development project at European level.
The most significant stages in this small protected area date back to the 80s, when a group of young naturalists began to work on the protection of the artificial basin. In 1985 the provincial administration of Pescara established a fauna protection oasis in Penne, prohibiting hunting activity.
The Reserve is an important resting and breeding place for sedentary, migratory and nesting avifauna. The Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), which is also the symbol of the protected area, has been nesting in the wetland of the Reserve for several years.
Some important fauna conservation initiatives have been launched in the Reserve, including the WWF Italy Otter Project, with the creation of a reproduction and education center for the extremely rare mustelid on the shores of Lake Penne.
Lake Penne is an artificial reservoir of approximately 70 hectares created for irrigation purposes and fed by the Tavo river and the Gallero stream, coming from the Gran Sasso mountain group.
Percorso natura
Centro lupi ibridi
Osservatorio lupo ibrido
Area istrice
Area volpi
Area testugini
Floral-faunistic area
A series of educational ponds guides you to learn about the most representative aquatic plants of the Reserve and leads to the botanical garden where the species of the mesophilous forest, the thermophilic forest and the Mediterranean scrub are grouped in different environments. An educational garden for medicinal flora, equipped with identification signs, illustrates the characteristic species of the area. A structured program of interventions has produced various conservation projects for the fauna species most at risk of extinction. Rare amphibians and reptiles, terrestrial tortoises, Mediterranean ducks, partridges, wounded birds of prey, shorebirds and otters enjoy particular attention in the wildlife centers of the Penne Reserve.
Nature trail
It runs along the lake and crosses the Gallero stream. The route is equipped with signs for the recognition of plant species and is equipped with huts for observing fauna and birdwatching. The flora and fauna area is accessible to all thanks to an articulated wooden walkway with slight slopes and safety fences. A special route allows gymnastic activity for physically disabled people. To access the path you must request authorization from the visitor center. The nature trail connects to the fitness trail, a path equipped with exercise equipment and cards with instructions for exercises, where access is free.
Environmental education center
There are various initiatives for environmental education and professional training. The center organizes courses, seminars, conferences, international exchanges, research and studies, green weeks, nature trips, summer camps, stays, guided tours.
Visitor center
Open every day to welcome visitors, for access permits to the Reserve and to provide information on the area. Promotion point for organic, editorial and artisanal productions. It uses a room equipped for projections, conferences and meetings, a video library, a nature library, a photographic archive and various teaching aids.
Picnic areas
Areas located in different environments of the Reserve and equipped with tables and benches.
Guesthouse
Located about 4 kilometers from the visitor center, on the Collalto hills. Accommodation facility with rooms, lounges and equipped kitchen.