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The 17-acre Baraggia Oasis is located in Bellinzago Novarese (No), within a Site of Community Interest. This natural reserve is currently managed by the WWF.

Its remarkable biodiversity has been thoroughly preserved in what remains of a former, much larger area, which has also become of naturalistic interest at European level. In the moorland section (called “baraggia” in the local dialect), there are Erica spp. (heather), Calunna vulgaris, Betula spp., and Populus tremula, endangered species which thrive under the local WWF protection.

The local fauna includes reptiles, insects, micro-mammals, birds (harriers, white storks, and yellowhammers), and 9 species of amphibians, including the highly endangered Italian Pelobates fuscus. That little toad, included in the list of the most threatened European amphibians and the subject of specific conservation projects, features a most peculiar defence system: it produces a high-pitched shriek – almost like a scream – secreting a substance which smells of fragrant garlic.

The oasis has suffered, vandalism and theft of some equipment in the past; for that reason, it is not open to the public, but only to students and scholars by appointments made with the WWF.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)