Located in the territory of Vastogirardi (Isernia), the Montedimezzo Reserve, the one in Collemeluccio and that of Pescolanciano, constitute a “Biosphere Reserve”, part of the UNESCO program called “Man and Biosphere” (MaB); its main purpose is to study the relationships between man and nature, in order to develop sustainable development techniques and humans interventions.

This MaB Reserve is of considerable value for the Molise region, considering that there are currently just over 300 of them all over the world and only 8 in Italy.

Several trails have been created inside the forest, including cycle paths, suitable for both occasional and experienced explorers. In the premises of the Forest Station, there is a Museum and a Visitor Centre, where it is possible to observe some flora, fauna and geological local discoveries, also benefiting from a special multimedia facility entirely built with environment-friendly materials.

The local Rescue Center for Wild Animals is extremely active and equipped with fences and aviaries to host animals that can no longer be introduced into their natural environment.

THE FLORA

Montedimezzo Reserve features a mixed wood of broad-leaved trees, predominantly Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) and beech (Fagus sylvatica), in association with other species such as mountain maples, field maples, mountain ashes, rowans, hawthorns, pear and wild apple trees.

It is not uncommon to see also some specimens of silver fir (Abies alba), which, planted in the past, have managed over to spontaneously recolonize the territory.

The undergrowth is particularly rich in species in the spring, when beeches are not in full vegetation yet and the sun can reach the ground: there’s, in fact, an explosion of colourful blooms such as liverwort, blue anemone, primroses and violets.

Just outside the forest borders, there is a European beech tree (Fagus sylvatica) about 300-years old, whose trunk can be embraced by five people: this wondrous specimen has been nicknamed “King Fajone”, for its majestic and impressive look.

THE FAUNA

The fauna includes the most typical animals in the Apennines: wild boars, hares, badgers, weasels, stone martens, foxes, and occasionally some fallow deers (recently introduced for repopulation, in the neighbouring Feudozzo forest, in the Abruzzo countryside). Birds and other small animals are present with almost all the species typical of upper Molise.