The Italian KBA National Coordination Group is now established!

Italy has become the third European country to establish a National Coordination Group for Key Biodiversity Areas, comprising 18 members from 13 institutions. Michela Pacifici and Andrea Lauta are the chair and secretary of the Italian National Coordination Group and members of the GaP consortium.

The first official meeting of the Italian National Coordination Group was held on March 24th at the Museum of Zoology, Sapienza University of Rome. The group's main activities and responsibilities were discussed, including the proposal of areas to fulfil the 30% coverage target by protected areas in the coming months.

Members of the Italian KBA National Coordination group come from:

1. University of Sapienza, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin"
2. University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences
3. University of Sassari, Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
4. University of Milan, Department of Environmental Science and Policy
5. Polytechnic University of Marche, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences
6. IMC International Marine Centre
7. Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council, ISMAR-CNR
8. University of L’Aquila, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences
9. University of Padova, Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment
10. Coordinator of the General Secretariat of the Italian IUCN Committee
11. Federparchi Responsible for Conservation Area, Biodiversity Relations Europarc Federation
12. Lipu (Italian League for the Protection of Birds) Director of Nature Conservation Area
13. WWF Conservation Program Director