The ‘Ticino Val Grande Verbano’ Biosphere Reserve extends along the Ticino River between Piedmont and Lombardy, covering over 332,ooo hectares and including more than 200 municipalities. It constitutes an important ecological corridor within the Po Valley, has a rich biodiversity, includes numerous historical testimonies and is one of the largest river parks in Europe. The reserve is subdivided into core areas, with a high degree of habitat protection and preservation; buffer areas, subject to less binding protection, but still characterised by eco-friendly practices; and transition areas, with a greater human presence and economic activities. The reserve has three main objectives: to preserve the ecosystem, to promote sustainable human and economic development and to support research.
The Riserva Ticino Val Grande Verbano was officially designated in 2018 as an extension of the Riserva Valle del Ticino, which has been part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) project since 2002.