by Simone Bandini
“Multifaceted but with a common denominator”: ecology. Stefano Farinelli introduces himself and talks about some issues that are part of his personal and professional life – as well as the central and essential perspective today of knowing and better enjoying one’s own area.
After graduating in Geo-technology – he tells me – my education continued in the earth sciences, wanting to investigate in particular the computing aspect of land management with GIS and GPS applications that, in recent years, have acquired fundamental importance. After graduation I immediately tried to be active in the area of work that I had pursued for years with college exams and I don’t mean strictly in the profession, but in a way where I would be able to communicate the passions that I feel. At first I messed about a bit in sector studies and then I concentrated on what I had in my heart: to know the area in all its forms, particularly through interaction with people. In fact this is a concept that comes very close to the definition of ‘Ecology’; and so I have chosen to follow various paths that all converge with this common denominator.”
Starting from the teaching of scientific subjects in lower and upper secondary schools and the dissemination of environmental issues through videos and articles written for local and national newspapers.
“In all this – he continued – I have never missed out, of course, on sport. I believe that practicing physical activity, especially outdoors, can ennoble a person from various points of view. It helps to relieve stress and to maintain a healthy and responsive lifestyle. So, for myself, I practice mountain biking, trekking and trail running. Three different types of activity united by a very important factor: contact with nature in open spaces.”
The recent restrictions deriving from administrative decisions to counter the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic have undoubtedly limited us in our movements and consequently also our being in contact with nature. We will surely overcome this difficult moment – accompanied by a wind of change that will open new horizons for those who have the ability to dream!
He truly loves his profession: “Traveling a little around the world, but above all in our magnificent Italy, I come into contact with very different environments, situations and lifestyles. It is not necessary to catapult yourself to the other side of the planet to taste different foods or experience other ways and customs. Our peninsula itself offers wide biodiversity and a richness of folklore that everyone in the world envies us for. The Tuscan Tiber Valley and the Umbrian Upper Tiber constitute my territory and they are not an exception: sensational landscapes, so many paths to follow and an unparalleled artistic and cultural heritage.”
Coterminous to the health emergency with its restrictions on movement – in a period when people can or will not leave their homes – a ‘Rear Window’ view can really help us put up with social distancing in a calmer way: “And so I have decided to communicate aspects related to earth sciences and naturalistic changes in a positive sense; alluvial plains, hills and mountains are extraordinarily varied and crossed by paths, but also we see gaseous emissions, caves, rocks of all types, and the flora and fauna that abounds everywhere.”
“With my professional activity – he elaborates – short videos and thematic micro-reports, as I call them, are a chance to get to know the area better; perhaps learning that just a few steps from home there are curious springs of cold sulphurous water, caves dug into the sandstone rock or, in the woods, rocky remains from ancient times.”
The Nature Reserves present in the vallys lend themselves perfectly to this purpose: “The Rognosi mountains with their ophiolites and black pine, the Alpe della Luna with its Sandstone Marl and venerable beech woods, the floodplain of the Tiber, the Alpe di Catenaia and other noteworthy areas have a series of internationally important itineraries and paths passing through them.
The Cammino di Francesco, [Franciscan Way] increasingly connects up places of worship with important small upland towns and villages: “Armed with a smartphone and a 360° camera, I started to create a small series of edited pieces that describe in a maximum of five minutes the main characteristics of the subject in question, just enough to intrigue the viewer, without neglecting fundamental aspects.”
“In addition to Valley Life Magazine, institutions and associations such as the tourism brand Meet Valtiberina Toscana – who I would like thank for help in sharing video content on their social networking channels – and the Io Vivo in Toscana brand, with its very nice logo in the shape of a boar that comes with me on my various outings. With a view to networking with those present in the area, a new collaboration is also envisaged with the local television broadcaster.”
Unfortunately, today, in this climate of restrictions and sacrifices, there are no certainties of course, but there is the desire to expand this ‘popular philosophy’ to other areas too.
From my work and this project I hope a greater awareness of the environment can emerge, with the desire for its preservation and with a strong boost to local ecotourism.
Info: Dr. Geol. Stefano Farinelli/ faristefa@libero.it/
Mob. 339 2546356