On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Regional Council of Piedmont decided to appoint a commissioner for the Management Entity of the Protected Areas of the Cottian Alps for the transition period necessary for the appointment of the new president. This is a necessary measure following the expiration of the Council and the President whose terms ended on January 22, 2025, and it concerns all regional park entities. For the Cottian Alps Parks, the appointed commissioner is Alberto Valfrè, already President of the Park Entity since 2022, who cannot remain in office for a period exceeding 6 months.
Today, January 22, 2025, the term of the Council of the Protected Areas of the Cottian Alps, appointed by the Piedmont Region in 2019, has formally concluded. A five-year period rich in challenges and achievements thanks to the commitment of the councilors who have successfully guided the entity through particularly complex periods such as the pandemic and the changes in president and director, and a review is being drawn up.
On December 27, 2024, the Community of the Protected Areas of the Cottian Alps met to initiate the procedures for the designation of the new Council of the Park Authority. As established by the Regional Law of Piedmont No. 19/2009, Consolidated Text on the protection of natural areas and biodiversity, the Community has an advisory, propositional, and verification role regarding the activities of the Authority and is composed of the mayor of the Metropolitan City of Turin, the presidents of the Mountain Unions, and the mayors of the municipalities – or their delegates – whose territories fall within the Cottian Alps Parks.
Il Presidente della Giunta regionale, Alberto Cirio, con comunicato del 19 dicembre 2024, apre la nomina dei componenti dei Consigli degli enti strumentali di gestione delle aree protette regionali in rappresentanza delle Associazioni agricole nazionali più rappresentative presenti e attive sul territorio della Regione Piemonte e delle Associazioni ambientaliste.
Among the protected species within protected areas, one must not forget homo sapiens. This column, which usually discusses the limitations imposed on human activities to preserve the environment, takes a diversion dedicated to an obligation introduced for safety reasons in avalanche danger situations: that of carrying an Artva, shovel, and probe on snowy terrain throughout the Italian mountainous territory, not just in the parks.
The Authority invites all suppliers to register on the AcquistinretePA platform for the Electronic Market of the Public Administration (MePA).
The end of summer is approaching, and with it comes the mushroom picking season that attracts many enthusiasts every year.
In the Protected Areas of the Cozie Alps and in the sites of the Natura 2000 network managed by the Park Authority, mushroom picking is regulated by National Law 352/1993 and Regional Law 24/2007, i.e., it is allowed for all holders of a permit, except for the following specific limitations:
There are still many people who love coming home after a walk in the open air with a small bouquet of flowers. There is even a song! But... There are rules to follow.
The protected areas of the Cozie Alps have entrusted the management of the alpine refuge Casa Assietta, dedicated to Jack Canali, to the temporary business group (ATI) consisting of ONALP by Plano Roberto, based in Susa (TO), and IL CASTAGNETO DI PIAN DEL CONTE by Sorba Laura, based in Villar Focchiardo (TO). The contract has a duration of six years, from 2024 to 2029, and includes the payment of an annual fee.
Within protected areas, certain human activities must adhere to environmental protection principles. Among these is the use of drones, which is permitted only for professional, monitoring, and scientific research purposes. The use of remotely piloted aircraft for these purposes in natural parks, nature reserves, and Natura 2000 sites managed by the Cozie Alps Protected Areas is subject to a specific request and impact assessment.