Green Areas and Biodiversity

The University of Pisa protects and enhances its natural heritage, thereby contributing to Goals 13 – Climate Action and 15 – Life on Land of the 2030 Agenda. Through the sustainable management of green areas, the promotion of biodiversity and the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions, the University integrates environmental protection, community well-being and climate responsibility.

The University has the largest agricultural and forestry estate among Italian universities, mainly concentrated in the “Enrico Avanzi” Agro-Environmental Research Centre (CiRAA), which covers approximately 500 hectares of agricultural land and 720 hectares of woodland, partly included in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Selve Costiere di Toscana”. The management of the entire agricultural and forestry estate is carried out independently by CiRAA, separately from CoSA’s activities.

Within the urban context, the University manages over 13 hectares of ornamental green areas and 2,050 trees. There are maintained through an internal system overseen by CiRAA and coordinated by the University Green Areas Management Group, which brings together dedicated technical and scientific expertise.

Climate and biodiversity: measuring to improve

In 2022, CoSA prepared its first CO₂ emissions inventory (Carbon Footprint) in collaboration with ICS Consulting. According to categories 1–4 of the UNI ISO 14064-1:2019 standard, estimated emissions for 2019 (pre-pandemic year) amounted to 18,763.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Protecting and expanding green areas is part of a broader strategy to reduce the university’s climate footprint, alongside actions in the fields of energy and infrastructure.

BioVersity: biodiversity through the community’s lens

To celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, CoSA organises the annual “BioVersity” photography competition, aimed at showcasing and raising awareness of biodiversity within the University areas and across the Municipality of Pisa and neighbouring areas. The BioVersity 2024 and BioVersity 2025 editions represent a concrete example of the academic community’s active engagement in protecting and promoting natural heritage.

• Bio-Versity 2025
• Bio-Versity 2024

Centre for Biodiversity Education (CEB)

Opened in 2025 in the Cascine Nuove area of the San Rossore Park (Giacomini Centre, near Villa Giraffa), the CEB is an innovative hub for the protection and understanding of nature, open to schools, researchers and the public. Established within the EMBRACE project (PNRR, NBFC) in collaboration with the Department of Biology and CiRAA, the Centre monitors, restores and enhances biodiversity in the park, focusing on flora, bees and other pollinating insects.
The CEB operates within the San Rossore Natural Park, one of the wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve.
The Centre hosts guided tours, workshops and exhibitions, promoting sustainability and environmental awareness, also in collaboration with WWF Alta Toscana. It serves as a reference point for applied research in conservation.

Responsible for this initiative

• Daniela Ciccarelli
  Contact Person for Green Areas and Biodiversity – Area: Green Areas and Biodiversity
• Angelo Canale
  Contact Person for Green Areas – Area: Green Areas and Biodiversity
• Danila Scalzo
  Student Representative – Area: Green Areas and Biodiversity, Education and Culture
• Valentina Serra
  Contact Person for Biodiversity – Area: Green Areas and Biodiversity
• Federico Soldani
  Technical Manager, Green Areas – Area: Green Areas and Biodiversity