The Special Protection Area (SPA) IT20B0501 Viadana, San Benedetto Po, Portiolo, Ostiglia extends along the Po River in the Lombardy Region and covers 7,222.78 hectares. It is the most biodiversity-rich SPA in the Po Plain.
A 68-hectare section of the SPA, located on the Po River floodplain, has been entrusted to the local Federazione Italiana della Caccia (FIDC) delegation in the Municipality of San Benedetto Po for management.
In cooperation with the Federazione Italiana della Caccia National Study Office, the local delegation developed a habitat management project focused on creating open areas within the woodland and sowing cereal crops that are left unharvested. These measures aim to increase bird biodiversity and provide additional food resources for resident and migratory species using the area.
The project, launched in 2025, demonstrates the practical contribution of hunters to habitat and wildlife management within a Natura 2000 site.
Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy, Province of Mantua
Project location: Natura 2000 SPA IT20B0501 Viadana, San Benedetto Po, Portiolo, Ostiglia, Po River
Starting date: 2025
Type of actions: Management of habitats and wildlife
Habitat types: Forest, woodland
Protection status: Natura 2000
Species concerned: Protected species, migratory species and huntable species
Species: Common quail (Coturnix coturnix), European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur), Picus spp., grey partridge (Perdix perdix) and passerines
Partners: Federcaccia Lombardia, Federcaccia San Benedetto Po and the Federazione Italiana della Caccia National Study Office
Source: Michele Sorrenti, Federazione Italiana della Caccia (FIDC)
