The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) not-for-profit foundation, TreadRight, has announced its newest partnership with Venice’s Barena Association. This marks TreadRight’s fifth nature-based solution partner, one which is committed to preserving the Northern Venetian Lagoon, including its unique wetland environment, as well as the culture and traditions surrounding the lagoons. TreadRight has supported more than 60 projects worldwide since 2008, and in alignment with The Travel Corporation’s net-zero ambition and Climate Action Plan, the foundation now prioritizes support for nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, which helps local communities become more resilient to climate change.
Barena Association’s flagship project “SOS Barena” aims to protect and restore sections of the intertidal salt marshes in the Northern Venetian Lagoon, locally known as “Barene.” The lagoon's distinctive habitats are rapidly disappearing through erosion, primarily due to human impact. TreadRight’s grant will be instrumental in the construction of up to 150 meters of barriers, called fascines, made with biodegradable material and installed with the support of local fishermen. Once installed, sediment will be pumped between the fascines and the marsh’s edge. These fascines serve to shield the marshes from waves and help root systems develop in the mud, thereby safeguarding the marsh soil from further erosion.
Salt marshes not only host rich biodiversity, including habitats, water birds and plants, but they are also among the ecosystems that sequester the most carbon per unit surface. This project will enable the Barena Association to avoid CO2 emissions ranging from 19.5 to 65.4 tons, thanks to the carbon sequestration capabilities of these habitats, which would otherwise erode without protection.
At the core of the SOS Barena project is the involvement of the local fishermen and other community members in designing and implementing these conservation actions. With their knowledge and intimate connection to the lagoon, the Barena Association aims to establish an approach that will be sustainable, long-term, and both ecologically and socially beneficial.
Note: The Northern Venetian Lagoon is a protected area in critical need of restoration. TreadRight does not encourage its visitation. You can help sustain the lagoon by respectfully not travelling there.
For those interested in making a donation to the Barena Association, can visit www.barenaassociation.ch. Learn more about TreadRight’s projects and its mission to "Make Travel Matter" at www.treadright.org.
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