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Concrete species protection instead of increasing landscape destruction: a further 11 hectares of land at our Pantano Longarini lagoon could become a safe haven for migratory birds!

Disappointing news from Cali, Colombia: on 2 November 2020, the two-week UN Conference COP16 on Biological Diversity ended without an agreement on how to finance the prevention of the worldwide destruction of nature by 2030. Such a fruitless policy on species protection plays into the hands of those who exploit landscapes and nature worldwide.

In Sicily, for example, thousands of hectares of small-scale, diversely structured agricultural land are currently being flattened by large agricultural corporations. Highly subsidised by the EU, these corporations are creating colossal orange and lemon tree plantations, large-scale polytunnel greenhouse complexes, and solar parks that devour agricultural land...

This makes the Foundation's properties in Germany and Sicily all the more critical. These properties have ecologically valuable, diverse landscape structures, and by protecting them, we not only provide critically endangered species with vital natural habitats. Our Pantani migratory bird sanctuary in Sicily, currently under development, now covers more than 440 hectares (4.4 km²) of lagoons, wetlands and riparian property. Thanks to the constant protection work of our Bird Guards, there is a continual increase in the diversity of migratory birds, bird and insect species!

Currently, radical and species-destroying landscape destruction is looming to the north of our Pantano Longarini lagoon. A solar park is planned on a slope of almost 28 hectares (280,000 m²/about 56 football pitches), partly covered with old olive and carob trees.

This would mean that we would lose a reasonably intact feeding and resting place for highly endangered migratory bird species such as the Stone-curlew, European Turtle Dove, Crested Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Eurasian Hoopoe, Whinchat and European Stonechat, located directly on the central bird migration route, for decades to come. However, more than this, survival time is needed for many endangered migratory bird species!

When we had personal contact with the landowner years ago, she still managed to cultivate her large property herself. As much as we are pleased that the owner has now contacted us about the planned sale, we are saddened by the lack of funds to pay the purchase price of more than 850,000 euros that she is demanding for the total area of just over 28 hectares. A financially strong energy company had already promised her this purchase price!

The good news: Nonetheless, we managed to persuade the owner, after joint property inspections, to sell us the essential partial area of 10.7 ha (107,000 m²) for the protection of migratory birds, facing the Pantano Longarini lagoon for the price of 325,000 euros, payable in two instalments. However, for her protection, she required us to sign a preliminary contract and pay a deposit of 80,000 euros. We had to pay this on 9 October 2024 when the notarised contract was signed. The agreed first instalment of the purchase price, amounting to 126,000 euros, including additional purchase costs, is due by 31 January 2025.

We are entitled to use up to €56,000 from a testamentary bequest. We still lack €70,000 to pay the first instalment of the purchase price. Please help us overcome this major purchase price hurdle with your committed year-end donation.

Our Pantani migratory bird sanctuary, which is well protected by our Bird Guards and covers more than 450 hectares, is increasingly providing what the migratory bird world and its extraordinary biodiversity need to survive: Space + Time + Lack of disturbance!

We are extremely grateful for your donation solidarity in realising our courageous Pantani migratory bird conservation project and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year 2025.