Maritime Alps Nature Park
The Maritime Alps Nature Park (Parco naturale delle Alpi Marittime) is a protected area of Piedmont located in the Province of Cuneo. It is managed by the Maritime Alps Protected Areas Management Authority (Ente di gestione delle Aree Protette Alpi Marittime, APAM), which also administers the Marguareis Nature Park and is based in Chiusa di Pesio [1].
The Émile Burnat Plant Biodiversity Centre
Within the Marguareis Nature Park, the Émile Burnat Plant Biodiversity Centre (Centro della Biodiversità Vegetale «Émile Burnat», CBV) has operated since 2009, officially recognised by the Piedmont Region in 2018 as a Reference Centre [1]. The Centre is an internationally significant site dedicated to monitoring, protecting and conserving the flora of the south-western Alps [1].
The expansion project
On 23 October 2026 the Park's headquarters in Chiusa di Pesio hosted a technical and institutional site visit for the project to expand and modernise the Plant Biodiversity Centre, following meetings between the Maritime Alps Protected Areas Management Authority and the regional councillors responsible for Mountains, Protected Areas and Biodiversity, and for Parks, Agriculture, Trade and Tourism [1]. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Park Authority, the Piedmont Region's Nurseries and Forests departments, and the Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences (DISAFA) of the University of Turin, with particular reference to the Chestnut-Growing Centre of Gambarello, in Chiusa di Pesio [1].
The plan for the new site aims to create a regional hub combining research, agroforestry experimentation, genetic conservation, outreach and a new tourist attraction for the area [1]. According to APAM president Armando Erbì, the meeting made it possible to share the project's progress and strengthen cooperation between the Authority, the regional nursery system and the Piedmont Region's Forests department [1].
Timeline
- — The Piedmont Region and the Maritime Alps Nature Park carry out a technical and institutional site visit in Chiusa di Pesio for the new Émile Burnat Plant Biodiversity Centre. → Cuneo24
Related articles: Site visit for the Émile Burnat Plant Biodiversity Centre in Chiusa di Pesio
Sources
- Cuneo24 — 2 November 2026