Over two-thirds of Alghero's territory is covered in forests, Mediterranean scrub, and natural areas. This green heritage is unparalleled in Sardinia and has recently been enriched with a valuable asset: approximately 200 hectares between Capo Caccia and Punta Giglio have officially become part of the municipal public property, thanks to an operation carried out by the Municipality and the Porto Conte Regional Park . This is an important step not only for landscape protection but also for the active management of the territory. The acquisition is accompanied by a financial allocation of approximately €4 million from development and cohesion funds (FSC 2021-27), earmarked for conservation and restoration of natural habitats and the species that populate them. These resources will allow for the concrete valorization of the new public areas, fully consistent with the Consolidated Law on Forests and the recent European Nature Restoration Law.
The real goal goes beyond conservation, explains Emmanuele Farris, a botanist at the University of Sassari, coordinator of WP5 Spoke09 of the PNRR e.INS project, and president of the Sardinian section of the Italian Botanical Society. "The aim is to build a sustainable management model that combines the environment, economy, and employment. With its 225 km² of land, Alghero can indeed focus on a diversified economy, in which the forestry sector—understood as landscape care, biodiversity protection, and land maintenance—plays a strategic role alongside tourism and agriculture." Today, from Maria Pia to the edge of Bantine 'e Sale, the scrub extends almost seamlessly. "But the uncontrolled growth of vegetation and the spread of alien species such as the Aleppo pine and the saligna acacia threaten biodiversity and increase the risk of fires," Farris continues. Targeted interventions, trained young people, and a clear vision are needed: not just more forest, but a better forest, capable of maintaining the mosaic of habitats that makes this area unique.
These topics will be discussed on November 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Casa Gioiosa, in the Tramariglio area, during the public meeting "Habitat Mosaic or Continuous Forest? Choices and Prospects for Green Infrastructure in Protected Areas," organized by the University of Sassari's Green Infrastructure Working Group and Porto Conte Park. Participation is free; register at this link .