Tuscany, January 20-21, 2026
The city of Tuscany (Italy) held a study visit organized by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), WWF North Africa and SEMIDE, under the Restore NAW project, in partnership with the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa. The visit aimed to promote the exchange of experiences and good practices in the management and restoration of Mediterranean wetlands, recognized as Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
The mission brought together partners from Morocco and Tunisia, alongside Italian experts from the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, river basin authorities, park managers, WWF Italy, as well as irrigation and drainage consortia. The program combined in-depth technical exchanges with field visits showcasing innovative and integrated approaches.
Participants explored a range of practices, including rewetting and controlled re-flooding of drained agricultural lands, constructed wetlands for agricultural water treatment, phytoremediation systems, innovative solutions for managed aquifer recharge, and integrated governance models linking water management, agriculture and biodiversity.
These experiences highlighted the strategic role of wetlands in securing drinking water supply, supporting climate change adaptation, reducing flood risks, combating desertification and preserving biodiversity.
The study visit contributed to strengthening regional cooperation and to advancing inputs on the adaptation and replication of these solutions in North African contexts, in support of sustainable water and ecosystem management strategies.