OASI DI LUCE E AMORE
Basic information
Project Title
OASI DI LUCE E AMORE
Full project title
OASI DI LUCE E AMORE - UN BOSCO CREATO DA ZERO
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
The first Italian forest created from nothing to give oxygen to the world.
We all see desertification advancing, forests burning and the planet's oxygen decreasing, but few are offering concrete solutions and even fewer are managing to follow through. Through the Pace e Bene Onlus Foundation he created, Master Lazzarini is demonstrating that change is possible and small, coordinated, daily gestures are enough to make the difference.
We all see desertification advancing, forests burning and the planet's oxygen decreasing, but few are offering concrete solutions and even fewer are managing to follow through. Through the Pace e Bene Onlus Foundation he created, Master Lazzarini is demonstrating that change is possible and small, coordinated, daily gestures are enough to make the difference.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
MONTELUPONE (MACERATA) - REGIONE MARCHE, Italy
Urban or rural issues
Mainly rural
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
In a period in which deforestation reigns supreme, Master Lazzarini decided to offer young people and adults the opportunity to leave an important mark in the territory by participating in the project called "Oasi di Luce e Amore", the first forest in Italy created entirely by citizens who want to be effective.
To do this, he decided, together with his staff, to go against the grain by investing in the purchase of land now exhausted by intensive agriculture to transform it into a real forest available to all those who want to discover a new way of experiencing nature.
With the creation of this forest of native plants, we contributed to creating new natural ecosystems that had not existed until a few years before. The new biodiversity became evident with the repopulation a few months after the start of the project by insects such as fireflies, dragonflies and many more, but also toads, hedgehogs and birds which had never been found in the area until 2020. The heart of the project, a biolake built using green building techniques with often waste materials, has become, together with the more than 7000 trees planted, a real point of reference for many. In fact, the project involved various local volunteer associations who actively participate, making resources and volunteers available and promoting the project among private citizens, who have discovered a new way of being part of something beautiful, healthy and shared by all.
One plant at a time, the Oasis, a place of beauty and peace, has also transformed into a place of training, reflection and a meeting point for those young people in the area who want to make the difference.
With his actions, Master Lazzarini wanted to give the world an Oasis, a real heritage for all of civil society, demonstrating that if you want, instead of using your energies to complain about problems, change is possible.
To do this, he decided, together with his staff, to go against the grain by investing in the purchase of land now exhausted by intensive agriculture to transform it into a real forest available to all those who want to discover a new way of experiencing nature.
With the creation of this forest of native plants, we contributed to creating new natural ecosystems that had not existed until a few years before. The new biodiversity became evident with the repopulation a few months after the start of the project by insects such as fireflies, dragonflies and many more, but also toads, hedgehogs and birds which had never been found in the area until 2020. The heart of the project, a biolake built using green building techniques with often waste materials, has become, together with the more than 7000 trees planted, a real point of reference for many. In fact, the project involved various local volunteer associations who actively participate, making resources and volunteers available and promoting the project among private citizens, who have discovered a new way of being part of something beautiful, healthy and shared by all.
One plant at a time, the Oasis, a place of beauty and peace, has also transformed into a place of training, reflection and a meeting point for those young people in the area who want to make the difference.
With his actions, Master Lazzarini wanted to give the world an Oasis, a real heritage for all of civil society, demonstrating that if you want, instead of using your energies to complain about problems, change is possible.
Key objectives for sustainability
The main objectives:
1. Stop the effects of intensive agriculture, which often uses pesticides and fertilizers that can have direct harmful effects on human health and the environment, by reducing pollution of the underlying aquifers, proposing a much less invasive and costly activity.
2. Creation of new aquatic ecosystems protected by innovative phytopurification techniques thanks to the creation of a biolake and made available for social and associative projects.
3. Reduction of deforestation and creation of new natural habitats for animal and plant species, contributing to the promotion of biodiversity. Transformation, through specific soil regeneration techniques and a significant increase in oxygen production in the area.
4. Beautification of a semi-abandoned area
5. Promotion of the culture of reuse and recycling, also through the creation of compost activities
6. Reduction of hydrogeological risk
7. Return to activities linked to natural biorhythms
8. Creation of a meeting place between people sensitive to environmental and social issues
The project was born from the desire to give new life to an area in a strong state of abandonment, like many in Italy are. It is common in fact that when the productivity of a land begins to decrease due to the ineffectiveness of intensive agriculture techniques and/or when there is little generational turnover in the sector, the land begins to lose value, with a consequent degradation of the entire area.
For this reason Master Lazzarini decided to start this pilot project in the hope of giving new life to these areas, transforming them into real oxygen for our territory, not only from a physical point of view, but above all from a human and social point of view. The project aims to serve as inspiration to the many areas like these in Italy.
"Have you ever seen a tree growing alone?
If a tree grows alone is because the man made slaughter around it."
Cit. M° Corrado Lazzarini
1. Stop the effects of intensive agriculture, which often uses pesticides and fertilizers that can have direct harmful effects on human health and the environment, by reducing pollution of the underlying aquifers, proposing a much less invasive and costly activity.
2. Creation of new aquatic ecosystems protected by innovative phytopurification techniques thanks to the creation of a biolake and made available for social and associative projects.
3. Reduction of deforestation and creation of new natural habitats for animal and plant species, contributing to the promotion of biodiversity. Transformation, through specific soil regeneration techniques and a significant increase in oxygen production in the area.
4. Beautification of a semi-abandoned area
5. Promotion of the culture of reuse and recycling, also through the creation of compost activities
6. Reduction of hydrogeological risk
7. Return to activities linked to natural biorhythms
8. Creation of a meeting place between people sensitive to environmental and social issues
The project was born from the desire to give new life to an area in a strong state of abandonment, like many in Italy are. It is common in fact that when the productivity of a land begins to decrease due to the ineffectiveness of intensive agriculture techniques and/or when there is little generational turnover in the sector, the land begins to lose value, with a consequent degradation of the entire area.
For this reason Master Lazzarini decided to start this pilot project in the hope of giving new life to these areas, transforming them into real oxygen for our territory, not only from a physical point of view, but above all from a human and social point of view. The project aims to serve as inspiration to the many areas like these in Italy.
"Have you ever seen a tree growing alone?
If a tree grows alone is because the man made slaughter around it."
Cit. M° Corrado Lazzarini
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The beauty of the place, as can be seen from the attached brochures, immediately struck photographers and reporters and has become a special place to spend time, celebrate, do volunteer work and social activities or where to hold training courses for young people in the area.
A magical setting in which you can express the best of yourself, rediscovering a connection with nature, silence, yourself and with others.
During the lockdown, various teenagers from the Art High School near the Foundation headquarters were inspired by such beauty and became the first promoters of artistic workshops aimed at creating works of area embellishment of great aesthetic value, in harmony with the natural features of the place.
Even activities such as the positioning of waste stones from the Marche hinterland, carried out by a young man from the area who dedicated his time for weeks to this work of beautification of the area, have contributed in their own small way to giving a unique connotation to the Oasis.
Finally, a special delimited area has been created around the bio-lake, in which in addition to creating a lawn, space has been given to those who wish to plant particularly beautiful trees, various training and emotional education courses have been held through specially designed sensory paths created, such as the reflexology path in which to walk barefoot on pebbles and luminescent stones donated by the "Luce Dentro" company which wanted to participate in the initiative at all costs.
Beauty, sensoriality, experimentation are just some of the key words that describe a place out of time where art and nature are the true protagonists.
A magical setting in which you can express the best of yourself, rediscovering a connection with nature, silence, yourself and with others.
During the lockdown, various teenagers from the Art High School near the Foundation headquarters were inspired by such beauty and became the first promoters of artistic workshops aimed at creating works of area embellishment of great aesthetic value, in harmony with the natural features of the place.
Even activities such as the positioning of waste stones from the Marche hinterland, carried out by a young man from the area who dedicated his time for weeks to this work of beautification of the area, have contributed in their own small way to giving a unique connotation to the Oasis.
Finally, a special delimited area has been created around the bio-lake, in which in addition to creating a lawn, space has been given to those who wish to plant particularly beautiful trees, various training and emotional education courses have been held through specially designed sensory paths created, such as the reflexology path in which to walk barefoot on pebbles and luminescent stones donated by the "Luce Dentro" company which wanted to participate in the initiative at all costs.
Beauty, sensoriality, experimentation are just some of the key words that describe a place out of time where art and nature are the true protagonists.
Key objectives for inclusion
The objective of the project was to create a space "for everyone" and this was possible thanks to the various sensory paths created and dedicated to the elderly, disabled and people in situations of economic and social hardship.
The oasis hosted people of all ages, social classes and religions for free, giving a unique opportunity to share objectives, spaces and experiences between people who would hardly have interacted in another context.
Everyone was able to enjoy the beauty of the place, was able to celebrate the most beautiful family moments in a jovial and multi-ethnic context.
Since 2020, the Foundation has hosted within its Montelupone structure a social-welfare association that carries out youth projects aimed at beneficiaries in situations of economic-social hardship.
Furthermore, since 2023, as an accredited body for social agriculture (EROAS regional register), it promotes projects within the area with the elderly, disabled and ex-prisoners.
The oasis hosted people of all ages, social classes and religions for free, giving a unique opportunity to share objectives, spaces and experiences between people who would hardly have interacted in another context.
Everyone was able to enjoy the beauty of the place, was able to celebrate the most beautiful family moments in a jovial and multi-ethnic context.
Since 2020, the Foundation has hosted within its Montelupone structure a social-welfare association that carries out youth projects aimed at beneficiaries in situations of economic-social hardship.
Furthermore, since 2023, as an accredited body for social agriculture (EROAS regional register), it promotes projects within the area with the elderly, disabled and ex-prisoners.
Results in relation to category
1. Since 2020 the bio-lake has been active and operative with an autonomous phyto-purification system. Inside it live fishs, toads, water snakes, an aquatic turtle and a great variety of plants, water lilies and lotuses.
2. The reservoir allows the recovery of approximately 300m2 of rainwater every year.
3. With the Japanese system adopted in 2023, just 4 years after its planting, the forest already boasts trees more than 5 meters tall.
4. From December 2023, the forest project will be replicated in an area of approximately 1 hectare within the Municipality of Montelupone (MC).
5. More than a hundred people a year frequent the Oasis for free and have enjoyed its beauty for more than 4 years now.
6. In 2024, various social projects will be activated within the Oasis aimed at the elderly, disabled and ex-prisoners in the area in collaboration with retirement homes, penitentiary centers and ATS.
7. As intense and persistent as the rains of the last 2 years have been, the presence of trees in the ground has given a stability never seen in the last 15 years, avoiding the continuous landslides that hit the highly clayey soil of the area.
2. The reservoir allows the recovery of approximately 300m2 of rainwater every year.
3. With the Japanese system adopted in 2023, just 4 years after its planting, the forest already boasts trees more than 5 meters tall.
4. From December 2023, the forest project will be replicated in an area of approximately 1 hectare within the Municipality of Montelupone (MC).
5. More than a hundred people a year frequent the Oasis for free and have enjoyed its beauty for more than 4 years now.
6. In 2024, various social projects will be activated within the Oasis aimed at the elderly, disabled and ex-prisoners in the area in collaboration with retirement homes, penitentiary centers and ATS.
7. As intense and persistent as the rains of the last 2 years have been, the presence of trees in the ground has given a stability never seen in the last 15 years, avoiding the continuous landslides that hit the highly clayey soil of the area.
How Citizens benefit
Word of mouth, articles in local newspapers, promotion on local radio stations, and connections with associations in the area enabled a variety of people interested in the project to actively participate.
Architects, engineers, microbiologists, meteorologists, school professors and educators are just some of the technicians who have given their free contribution to the project, making possible, the impossible.
With the "Come and plant it!" initiative still today people are requesting to join the initiative to maintain and expand the project.
From 2020, the Foundation will host within its Montelupone facility a social welfare association that carries out projects including youth projects aimed at beneficiaries in situations of economic-social hardship.
Also from 2023, as an accredited body for social agriculture (EROAS regional register) it promotes projects with the elderly, disabled and ex-convicts within the area.
Architects, engineers, microbiologists, meteorologists, school professors and educators are just some of the technicians who have given their free contribution to the project, making possible, the impossible.
With the "Come and plant it!" initiative still today people are requesting to join the initiative to maintain and expand the project.
From 2020, the Foundation will host within its Montelupone facility a social welfare association that carries out projects including youth projects aimed at beneficiaries in situations of economic-social hardship.
Also from 2023, as an accredited body for social agriculture (EROAS regional register) it promotes projects with the elderly, disabled and ex-convicts within the area.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
The project aims to start from the creation of natural ecosystems to promote the creation of new social ecosystems.
Changing the paradigm, changing habits, demonstrating in a small way that change is possible, not waiting for the solution from above, but becoming promoters of a more human-scale society.
The forest borned to excite. In an era of overstimulation due to the media and new technologies, young generations have fewer and fewer opportunities to cultivate the basic relationship with nature.
Emotion becomes a real therapy for adults and children inside the Oasis: inside the forest there is music piped in with harmonizing frequencies, a bio-lake with its koi carps and its fish who eat from the hands of guests during the day and LED night lighting which, with a specific chromotherapy game, creates breathtaking nocturnal landscapes every evening.
It is exciting and surprising to see how the landscape and also the atmosphere that you breathe in the area have changed: it is not every day that you see a real forest born and develop. This is why the project wants to give today's children the emotion of being able to say as adults: "when this park was born I was there, or rather I made it happen!"
The works in the area are done with simple materials such as gravel, wood and stones, but are designed to also allow access to the elderly and disabled via small stairways, ramps and specific paths.
The Oasi di Luce e Amore aims to host both endangered and injured fauna or those in need of protection. It will be accessible to everyone, even visitors with mobility problems, through guided and comfortable routes, accompanied by relaxing music throughout the journey: this will make the reserve one of a kind.
A unique project throughout Italy, carried out with the collaboration of the Marche Region, the Forestry and various private companies who immediately seized the opportunity to give their contribution to the project, donating what is necessary for its realization.
Changing the paradigm, changing habits, demonstrating in a small way that change is possible, not waiting for the solution from above, but becoming promoters of a more human-scale society.
The forest borned to excite. In an era of overstimulation due to the media and new technologies, young generations have fewer and fewer opportunities to cultivate the basic relationship with nature.
Emotion becomes a real therapy for adults and children inside the Oasis: inside the forest there is music piped in with harmonizing frequencies, a bio-lake with its koi carps and its fish who eat from the hands of guests during the day and LED night lighting which, with a specific chromotherapy game, creates breathtaking nocturnal landscapes every evening.
It is exciting and surprising to see how the landscape and also the atmosphere that you breathe in the area have changed: it is not every day that you see a real forest born and develop. This is why the project wants to give today's children the emotion of being able to say as adults: "when this park was born I was there, or rather I made it happen!"
The works in the area are done with simple materials such as gravel, wood and stones, but are designed to also allow access to the elderly and disabled via small stairways, ramps and specific paths.
The Oasi di Luce e Amore aims to host both endangered and injured fauna or those in need of protection. It will be accessible to everyone, even visitors with mobility problems, through guided and comfortable routes, accompanied by relaxing music throughout the journey: this will make the reserve one of a kind.
A unique project throughout Italy, carried out with the collaboration of the Marche Region, the Forestry and various private companies who immediately seized the opportunity to give their contribution to the project, donating what is necessary for its realization.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
In the initial phase, the staff of professionals who have collaborated for years with Master Lazzarini in the various projects was decisive. Collaboration born from the desire to carry out large projects, face new challenges and always do so with an innovative and creative point of view.
Art, architecture, engineering, agronomic and forestry sciences, microbiology and purification and phytoremediation techniques, botany and pedagogy are just some of the disciplines that came into play in this project.
A union of intentions, the sharing of a common project, the trust in the creator and coordinator who was at the forefront from the first to the last planting, meant that in less than a year the forest came to life and was available as early as 2021.
Combining natural beauty with figurative and graphic arts was a union born spontaneously among the young people of the area who, victims of the lockdown, were looking for a space in which they could express themselves.
An opportunity for young artists to essay at building a park, decorating and beautifying an area already rich in many plant and animal species.
Art, architecture, engineering, agronomic and forestry sciences, microbiology and purification and phytoremediation techniques, botany and pedagogy are just some of the disciplines that came into play in this project.
A union of intentions, the sharing of a common project, the trust in the creator and coordinator who was at the forefront from the first to the last planting, meant that in less than a year the forest came to life and was available as early as 2021.
Combining natural beauty with figurative and graphic arts was a union born spontaneously among the young people of the area who, victims of the lockdown, were looking for a space in which they could express themselves.
An opportunity for young artists to essay at building a park, decorating and beautifying an area already rich in many plant and animal species.
Methodology used
Ex head coach of the Italian national Kung Fu team and manager in the world of voluntary work for years, Master Lazzarini decided, with this project, to share the methodology that led him to win on all competition mats to address modern environmental problems from a local solution perspective.
The project was structured in phases:
Phase I – Analysis of the problem to be addressed and creation of specialized staff
Phase II – Elaboration of possible strategies and initial planning
Phase III – Involvement of private companies and search for public and private financiers
Phase IV – Land acquisition and request for permits/authorisations
Phase V – Involvement of the local population and local voluntary associations
Phase VI – Technical training of volunteers
Phase VII – Creation and promotion in the territory with graphic and audiovisual productions
Phase VIII – Analysis and maintenance of the obtained results
Phase IX – Promotion and diffusion of similar initiatives in other areas of the territory.
Being able to change reality is not a simple mission, but a person with clear objectives, will, a constant analysis of the project progress, the ability to adopt any budget changes and manage any constraints present by constant procedures, through continuous discussion and by stimulating the desire to work as a team every day, even the most complex goals become achievable.
The project was structured in phases:
Phase I – Analysis of the problem to be addressed and creation of specialized staff
Phase II – Elaboration of possible strategies and initial planning
Phase III – Involvement of private companies and search for public and private financiers
Phase IV – Land acquisition and request for permits/authorisations
Phase V – Involvement of the local population and local voluntary associations
Phase VI – Technical training of volunteers
Phase VII – Creation and promotion in the territory with graphic and audiovisual productions
Phase VIII – Analysis and maintenance of the obtained results
Phase IX – Promotion and diffusion of similar initiatives in other areas of the territory.
Being able to change reality is not a simple mission, but a person with clear objectives, will, a constant analysis of the project progress, the ability to adopt any budget changes and manage any constraints present by constant procedures, through continuous discussion and by stimulating the desire to work as a team every day, even the most complex goals become achievable.
How stakeholders are engaged
In order to financially support the initiative, the Foundation joined measure 8.1 of the Marche Region PSR, receiving a contribution for the purchase of the plants and their maintenance.
Private partners were involved at a regional and national level who contributed with the donation of materials and equipment to the physical realization of the project.
Private individuals of all ages residing in the area physically participated in the planting which took place from October 2019 to February 2020 and continued with maintenance activities even during the lockdown.
Thanks to initiatives such as "A tree for Christmas", even private individuals who were unable to physically plant the trees were able to offer their contribution through a monetary donation to purchase the necessary items.
Private partners were involved at a regional and national level who contributed with the donation of materials and equipment to the physical realization of the project.
Private individuals of all ages residing in the area physically participated in the planting which took place from October 2019 to February 2020 and continued with maintenance activities even during the lockdown.
Thanks to initiatives such as "A tree for Christmas", even private individuals who were unable to physically plant the trees were able to offer their contribution through a monetary donation to purchase the necessary items.
Global challenges
Everyone in their own small way can make the difference.
Stop acting as individuals and start working as a team, each in their own place, each with their own objectives which, however, cease to be individualistic, but aim at individual and collective well-being.
Every human being is an extraordinary creature and just needs to remember it and this is why the Master activates his projects: to demonstrate to everyone how much good they can do, how good they can feel and above all how special they can be.
Creating a team of protagonists is the Master's dream, and every day, one small gesture at a time, he’s making it come true.
In order to solve ecological problems we must start from education and social relationships. By teaching respect for nature, social respect is strengthened.
No one is so unspiritual to have nothing to offer to the world. The Oasi di Luce e Amore offers the opportunity to anyone to do so, to offer their time, their smile, to share beautiful and less beautiful moments, difficulties and solutions in a protected context by educators and pedagogists always willing to teach new ways of leaving a better place than we found.
One plant at a time, taking care of the soil, the animals and the people around us, every day we can be better people, we can go back to being part of something much bigger, we can become an active part of a local reality that manages to face in its own small way, thanks to sharing, valorisation and training, even the greatest challenges.
Stop acting as individuals and start working as a team, each in their own place, each with their own objectives which, however, cease to be individualistic, but aim at individual and collective well-being.
Every human being is an extraordinary creature and just needs to remember it and this is why the Master activates his projects: to demonstrate to everyone how much good they can do, how good they can feel and above all how special they can be.
Creating a team of protagonists is the Master's dream, and every day, one small gesture at a time, he’s making it come true.
In order to solve ecological problems we must start from education and social relationships. By teaching respect for nature, social respect is strengthened.
No one is so unspiritual to have nothing to offer to the world. The Oasi di Luce e Amore offers the opportunity to anyone to do so, to offer their time, their smile, to share beautiful and less beautiful moments, difficulties and solutions in a protected context by educators and pedagogists always willing to teach new ways of leaving a better place than we found.
One plant at a time, taking care of the soil, the animals and the people around us, every day we can be better people, we can go back to being part of something much bigger, we can become an active part of a local reality that manages to face in its own small way, thanks to sharing, valorisation and training, even the greatest challenges.
Learning transferred to other parties
The project is proposed as a pilot model that wanted to test the methodology promoted for years by Master Lazzarini in the world of sport and volunteering, also applied in an environmental context. A methodology based on a solid strategy, teamwork, the creation of a staff of specialists with adequate skills, the involvement of the local population and above all the sharing of objectives also with partner companies and public bodies.
A key factor is certainly training and the transfer of knowledge to new generations through the creation of a relationship of trust and valorisation of the potential that everyone has. Certainly an important multiplier effect will be linked to sharing the initiative through periodic promotional activities through the web channel and social networks (currently under restructuring). In fact, the project is designed not to remain limited exclusively to the participants of the activity, but aims in a long-term perspective at expansion into new areas made available by the Foundation itself and at diffusion through specialized consultancy to those who intend to carry out similar experiences using courses designed ad hoc and constant comparisons with similar realities with the aim of acting as a point of reference for other realities in the national territory that want to carry out a similar project in other italian regions.
A key factor is certainly training and the transfer of knowledge to new generations through the creation of a relationship of trust and valorisation of the potential that everyone has. Certainly an important multiplier effect will be linked to sharing the initiative through periodic promotional activities through the web channel and social networks (currently under restructuring). In fact, the project is designed not to remain limited exclusively to the participants of the activity, but aims in a long-term perspective at expansion into new areas made available by the Foundation itself and at diffusion through specialized consultancy to those who intend to carry out similar experiences using courses designed ad hoc and constant comparisons with similar realities with the aim of acting as a point of reference for other realities in the national territory that want to carry out a similar project in other italian regions.
Keywords
Emotion
Biodiversity
Inclusion
Sensoriality
Beauty
