Liberi di Volare - Free to fly

Sicily is a region blessed with stunning natural settings ranging from the imposing beauty of the volcano Etna to the sandy beaches of Vendicari, from the charming Eolian islands to the rich vegetation of the Nebrodi Mountains.

Thank to years of hard work and some tough fights from local people and associations, Sicily has now a long list of Parks and Nature Reserves that are trying their best to preserve the protected areas to their original state while still providing access to local visitors, tourists and schools.

Recently, a new project has come under the spotlight as an example of what can be achieved while respecting nature and believing in human dignity and abilities. The project entitled Free to Fly takes place at the Area Marina Protetta del Plemmirio - a sea nature reserve in the Maddalena peninsula near Siracusa.

Here the consortium Plemmirio has organised diving and snorkelling activities for people with disabilities, including blind people who are guided under water by experts and find descriptions of what surrounds them in Braille characters. What they find is a wealth of marine vegetation, a variety of fish which has actually increased over time thank to the ban on fishing in the area and archaeological ruins.

The project started a year ago and has been really successful. Free to Fly has managed to overcome several physical barriers, but more importantly has overcome the social barriers that too often impose unnecessary limitations. In a Mediterranean Sea that is constantly challenged to overcome a whole raft of environmental problems it is good to know that effort and dedication can pay off and can provide a happy balance.