Civil Protection Department

The Civil Protection together with the British Embassy in Italy for the “Think Green” project

The day that Puglia dedicated to the “Think Green” project started in the Paolo Francesco Fiorentino cloister in Palazzo di Città, headquarters for the San Giovanni Rotondo City Council.
The British Ambassador to Italy, Edward Chaplin was introduced by Mayor Giuliani and explained the initiative, while the Presidents of the Consorzio Bonifica Montana del Gargano (Gargano Mountain Reclamation Consortium), Giancarlo Frattarolo and of the Gargano National Park, Giandiego Gatta, described the reforestation project for the Park to the authorities, including the British Consul in Naples, the press and a class from the “Melchionda” primary school in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Also participating was the Head of the Civil Protection, Guido Bertolaso, who reminded those present of the serious fire damage this area suffered in the summer of 2007 and highlighted how significant it was that the Gargano National Park had been selected for reforestation.
The day continued in the Vallone di Portamisuso, where the first five trees were planted, to be followed by approximately 100 more over the next few weeks.
A hundred or so local primary school children and their teachers welcomed the authorities to Vallone, waving British and Italian flags as they watched the planting.
At the end of the event each child received a symbolic plant and a bag containing informative material about the Civil Protection Department and the British Embassy.

Support for organisation of this one-day event was provided by volunteer groups from the Associations Gamma 27 in San Giovanni Rotondo, Aquile Civilis in San Giovanni Rotondo, Radio Club G. Marconi in Foggia, “S.O.S. - S. M. 27” in San Marco in Lamis, P. A. S. E. R. in Manfredonia and “Unione Garganica Radio 27” in Monte S. Angelo.
Once again, the men and women of the civil protection, who every day welcome the thousands of visitors who come to visit the place that symbolises Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, showed all their competence, willingness and generosity.