The project aims to combine biodiversity conservation, the recovery of traditional knowledge, community engagement and social inclusion through the harvesting and artisanal processing of marsh plants. Operating in two wetlands of international relevance, the project proposes a sustainable management model that transforms a historical practice into a concrete response to today’s environmental and social challenges.

Background

For centuries, the harvesting and weaving of sedges (Carex elata and Carex riparia) represented a key economic and cultural activity for rural communities in the Padule di Fucecchio and Lago di Sibolla. With industrialisation and the widespread use of plastic, these practices gradually disappeared, leading to the loss of traditional skills and a decline in habitat management. Today, reviving these activities represents a true nature-based solution, contributing to invasive species control, sedge bed conservation, and the reduction of synthetic material use.

The Project

The project is designed as a two-year initiative integrating environmental action, training, and social engagement. Amici del Padule di Fucecchio coordinates the activities in partnership with Intrecci Onlus, which provides artisanal expertise and inclusive methodologies, and LIPU – Pistoia section, which ensures the ecological integrity of all actions within protected areas.
A core element of the project is its social impact, achieved through the active involvement of people with disabilities in the project’s activities, fostering inclusion, participation, and skill development. The initiative aims to rebuild a sustainable local value chain—from habitat management to artisanal production—demonstrating how ecosystem protection can generate environmental, cultural, and social benefits.

The project will run from March 2026 to February 2028.

Activities and Key Deliverables:

• 10 marsh plant processing workshops led by expert craftsmen

• 8 traditional manual sedge harvesting sessions

• Proper storage and conservation of harvested material, used throughout the year for workshop activities

• 4 ethnobotanical guided tours led by a qualified environmental hiking guide

• 2 end-of-year public events to share the project’s activities and results