Today, September 5 2024, we inaugurated the project for the conservation and protection of the dune ecosystem at Capriccioli Ovest Beach, one of Sardinia's natural gems near the Costa Smeralda. The event was attended by the secretary general of the Foundation Jan Pachner, the mayor of the municipality of Arzachena Roberto Ragnedda, the environmental delegate of the municipality of Arzachena Michele Occhioni, and other local authorities.

In collaboration with the Municipality of Arzachena, One Ocean Foundation's project aims to enhance one of the most frequented and beloved coastal areas in our country, promoting awareness-raising activities as well as combating coastal erosion. The project involves the realization of lightweight structures to protect the marine dunes, with particular attention to their portion most exposed to anthropic activities. These structures are made from natural materials, have minimal visual impact, and are fully recyclable.

As part of our commitment towards the environmental sustainability and education,  the protective structures are accompanied by informative panel to increase awareness of the importance of dune ecosystems and we will organize awareness-raising activities for local communities and schools with the support of dedicated educational materials on the topic.

"The protection and restoration of biodiversity, as also indicated by the European Union, represent a fundamental part of One Ocean Foundation's mission, which recognizes the significant value of Sardinia's territories on both national and international scales. Hence our commitment to safeguarding the dune habitats in the Arzachena area," says Riccardo Bonadeo, President of One Ocean Foundation. "Our hope is to increasingly enhance the sense of responsibility towards the marine and coastal ecosystem among residents and tourists, with the goal of working together to promote informed choices and behaviors starting from everyday habits."

"We are pleased to once again work alongside One Ocean Foundation to contribute to the protection of one of Sardinia's most admired and fragile natural attractions," says Roberto Ragnedda, Mayor of the Municipality of Arzachena. "Coastal erosion and summer human impact threaten the Capriccioli coastline, and it is our duty to preserve it by any means before the damage becomes irreversible. We will also introduce access control measures to restore balance to the ecosystem."

"The intervention to protect the dunes of the Capriccioli promontory is an important step towards establishing the natural park that the Municipality has been aiming for years," adds Michele Occhioni, Environmental Delegate of the Municipality of Arzachena. "We thank One Ocean Foundation for their support in this journey, which prioritizes environmental protection and a respectful and sustainable vision of tourism."

The importance of protecting dune ecosystems

Despite their strategic role in mitigating erosion risk and addressing the challenges posed by climate change to Mediterranean areas, dunes are one of the most vulnerable and threatened ecosystems in our territory. Coastal dunes are becoming increasingly rare, with Sardinia having lost over 60% of them.

One Ocean Foundation's activities will therefore focus on a specific operational area, namely the spaces of Capriccioli Beach where the dune ridges and the associated Mediterranean scrub formations are located.