The Po Delta Nature Reserve

• Safeguarding, recovering , optimizing and making the most out of the natural, historical and cultural aspects of the Po Delta territory;
• Boosting the economic activities of the area as long as they are environmentally friendly;
• Improving life quality of the locals.
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Environment, economy and society are therefore the three major fields of interest the activities of the Board of the Veneto Park within the Po Delta Nature Reserve are mainly focusing on.

Law N. 36/97, drawn in full compliance with the international agreements and provisions issued on the management of wet areas, especially with MEDWET (European Community program to protect wet areas in the Mediterranean), points out one aspect which has always played a relevant role in the Delta area: the interaction between man and environment. “Natural, environmental, historical and cultural values” present in the Po Delta area are considered as “resources aimed at fostering the economic, social and cultural development of the local communities living in this area”.

The Po Delta is in the province of Rovigo (between Venice and Ferrara). The natural borders of the Delta are the River Adige (Rosolina Mare) in the north and Sacca di Scardovari (Gorino and Gnocca) in the south. The Po Delta area stretches over a surface of 400 kmq. It is a relatively newly formed area and it is therefore subject to continuous changes. It was created by a slow sedimentation of the soil and by an extraordinary human effort: the reclamation action has made of the Po Delta area the largest wet area in Europe.
The Po Delta area grows by 60 ha a year because of the sediments.

It is subdivided into six active branches:
Po di Levante,

Po di Maistra,

Po di Pila (with Scirocco and Tramontana mouths),

Po di Tolle,

Po di Gnocca,

Po di Goro.

The Po Delta area includes nine municipalities in the province of Rovigo:
Adria,

Ariano Polesine,

Corbola,

Loreo,

Papozze,

Porto Viro,

Porto Tolle,

Rosolina,

Taglio di Po.