Oasi Dynamo, the only in Italy, represents a perfect synergy between conservation, management, knowledge and environment fruition, and social activism. We aim to promote conservation and scientific research activities: thanks to the development of our Visitor Center located at over 900 meters above sea level, students and researchers can experience and explore issues related to the flora and fauna of the Apennines.
Oasi Dynamo Società Agricola deals with managing and preserving the biodiversity of the WWF-affiliated Limestre nature reserve through agricultural activities, scientific research, and eco-tourism.
Founded in 2015, it is a company with social objectives, and aims to safeguard the territory through the development of activities related to hospitality and the dissemination of a culture respectful of the environment and traditional agricultural practices.
Oasi Dynamo, affiliated with the WWF, was established in 2006, from the recovery of an old hunting reserve on the Pistoia Apennines.
Located in the heart of Tuscany, in the municipality of San Marcello Piteglio, it covers 1000 hectares on a predominantly wooded territory, at about 1100 meters above sea level: where meadows and pastures open for dedicated cattle and pig breeding.
The vegetation within the reserve is quite diverse. Hardwood forest prevails in the lower areas – characterized by the presence of oak, black hornbeam, chestnut, cherry, field maple, hazel, European aspen, and black alder.
At higher altitudes, tree vegetation consists mainly of beech forests and conifer populations, resulting from the reforestation of former crops and pastures. Rows of laburnum, cherry trees and mountain-ash adorn the edges of the open areas.
The vegetation of Oasi is quite diverse, varying greatly depending on the altitude, exposure, and human intervention. In the lower areas, deciduous forests characterized by the presence of oaks (cerris and downy oak), black hornbeam, chestnut, cherry, field maple, hazel, tremulous poplar, and black alder prevail. At higher altitudes, the tree vegetation consists mainly of beech forests (copse and high forest) and conifers (white fir, Douglas fir and black pine) deriving from the reforestation of former crops and pastures. Rows of laburnum, cherry trees and mountain-ash adorn the edges of the open areas.
The area presents elements of great interest: there are numerous medium to large sized ungulates (roe deer, mouflon, deer, fallow deer, wild boar) and rodents (porcupine, squirrel, dormouse). Among the carnivorous mammals, in addition to the wolf (which in recent years has spontaneously returned to the Pistoia Apennines, restoring the natural balance), there is the fox, the beech marten and the least weasel. Birdlife is also rich and diverse. Among the diurnal birds of prey, we find the northern goshawk, the short-toed snake eagle, the common buzzard, the European honey buzzard, and the golden eagle nesting nearby. Also present are the European green woodpecker, black woodpecker, the Eurasian hoopoe, and many small passerines linked to wooded environments and open environments, such as the red-backed shrike.
Oasi Dynamo’s mission is the enhancement of the land: favoring the development of existing biodiversity, also through non-intensive and high-quality agricultural activities pursuing the economic balance of the area, thanks to the creation of new jobs and guaranteeing a safe future to the reserve itself, as well as through the development of an on-site reception system preserving the bio-hydro-geological balance of the area. All this according to a business model with social purposes, wished for and promoted by Dynamo Foundation.
The initiative also wants to: act as a driving force for other similar experiences in the region and in the country, offer the community the opportunity to enjoy it at its best, and over time, a wide natural area, among the most beautiful and rich in biodiversity of the Tuscan Apennines.
The development of the farm, and the achievement of these objectives, passes through a corporate restructuring plan that includes interventions to enhance the real estate and naturalistic heritage of the area, as well as the restructuring of the main agricultural activities.
CATTLE BREEDING
For many years there have been some Limousin cattle on the farm. In addition, a new stable with a barn and a small dairy farm has been built at the ‘Podere Casa Luigi’, to diversify the breeding and orient it more towards the production of milk and dairy products. The aim is to make the offer of foodstuffs, aimed both at the guests of the farm and at the children of Dynamo Camp, completer and more sustainable. Cheese, ricotta, and yogurt will be available from the beginning of 2019.
PIG FARMING
The expansion of pig breeding in the wild are in the works (Cinta Senese and mixed breed) through the construction of a new building, the renovation of existing buildings and the construction of a one hectare fenced area for grazing. Pork is processed and packaged by a partner of Oasi Dynamo (Macelleria Agricola Savigni – Savigni Agricultural Butchery) and distributed/sold at our facilities.
For some years now, raspberries, strawberries and wild strawberries have been grown in the reserve, intended for fresh consumption and transformation into jams. The cultivation of small fruits has also been made possible thanks to a public contribution provided for in the Rural Development Plan (RDP 2014/2020 undermeasure 16.2).
It is the intention of the farm to develop the cultivation of other small fruits (giant blueberry, currants, and gooseberries), as well as fruit trees (mainly native cultivars of cherry and plum).
The traditional production of fodder for breeding is alternated with the cultivation of varieties of ancient grains low in gluten, spelt, and potato.
Another project in progress concerns the recovery of some chestnut groves present in the reserve and located mainly around Casa Luigi. Plants will be recovered so that chestnut flour can be produced from autumn 2019.
All farm agricultural productions are BIO certified.
PROMOTER
The Dynamo Foundation’s mission is to support the design and development of business organizations that address social issues such as education, health, social services, and the environment, while also promoting new employment.
Among its projects is Dynamo Academy and Dynamo Camp.
PROMOTER
The Oasi project has WWF Oasi Italia as its partner. The upcoming accommodation facilities of the Oasi brand will all be in WWF affiliated protected areas.
WWF Oasi and Oasi Dynamo, both engaged in complementary areas of social responsibility, has a shared mission of environmental conservation, experiential educational approach, non-profit nature, and national dimension.