Nature-based solutions help the salt marsh to repair itself © Allison Zurfluh
The Venetian Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a critical ecological treasure. Its unique salt marshes, known as “Barene,” maintain the delicate balance necessary for this precious ecosystem.
Intertidal wetlands like Barene are vital for the region’s biodiversity and its ability to combat climate change by sequestering carbon. However, these precious ecosystems need protection—the wetland environment, including the fauna and flora it houses and the culture and traditions surrounding the lagoons, are under threat due to human impact and natural erosion.
To protect these vital areas, The TreadRight Foundation, the not-for-profit arm of The Travel Corporation (TTC) and Insight Vacations, has partnered with Venice’s Barena Association to support their flagship project, SOS Barena.
“As one of Italy’s largest coastal wetlands, the Venice Lagoon is not just of deep significance environmentally but also culturally. Our newest nature-based solution partner, Barena Association, acknowledges this beautifully by harnessing the knowledge and skill set of the local fishermen, who design and install interventions to stall rapid erosion and maintain the lagoon’s power to trap carbon,” said Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer at The Travel Corporation and Head of TreadRight.
Thanks to TreadRight’s grant, the SOS Barena project will construct up to 150 metres of biodegradable fascines. These barriers, installed with the expertise of local fishermen who have an intimate connection with the lagoon, will then have sediment pumped between them and the marsh’s edge, helping root systems to develop and preventing further erosion.
TreadRight has supported more than 60 projects worldwide since 2008. In alignment with The Travel Corporation’s net-zero ambition and Climate Action Plan, the foundation now prioritizes support for nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, which helps local communities become more resilient to climate change.
“The Barene is critical to the unique ecosystem that encompasses Venice, and we are exceptionally pleased to champion this initiative through our TreadRight grant,” Guihan added.
A Community-Driven
Approach to Conservation The SOS Barena project is unique not only for its environmental impact but also for its strong community involvement. The Barena Association’s approach integrates the skills and knowledge of local fishermen, particularly those from the island of Burano, who play a crucial role in designing and implementing conservation efforts. Their participation ensures that the solutions are effective and sustainable, preserving both the environment and the traditional fishing culture that has thrived in the lagoon for centuries.
“Salt marshes effectively absorb carbon emissions, which makes them crucial in addressing climate change, but they also enable the traditional fishing culture to thrive—and that is paramount to ecological sustainability,” said Allison Zurfluh, President of Barena Association. “In the northern Venice Lagoon, we are committed to nature-based solutions installed by traditional Buranello fishermen not only to protect and restore these valuable saltmarshes, but because the methods we use directly support their lifestyle as custodians of the lagoon. We believe in what we are doing and are passionate about it. Our gratitude to the TreadRight Foundation runs deep.”
Thanks to the carbon sequestration capabilities of the restored habitats, the restoration efforts are expected to prevent CO2 emissions ranging from 17.7 to 59.3 tonnes. This partnership is a perfect example of how environmental conservation can go hand in hand with cultural preservation and community empowerment.
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