The oasis began in 1973, when Antonia and Harry Salamon bought the castle of St. Alessio and little land that still surrounded it.
Apart from the emotion, somewhat scientific and somewhat emotional for medieval architecture, there was a project, a hug from childhood and prepared childhood, to create the breeding of endangered species, to regain its nature.
Antonia and Harry had a scientific background and a liberal and practical culture. They knew the state of nature - in Italy and abroad - and were convinced that in order to save it, man had to be preoccupied.
The land purchased was a large field of clover. There was not a single tree, the smelly-smelling - calling it sewers that would complement it - went through everything. Everything we see today was built later.
The other aspect that we have worked on since 1973, which we have already talked about in part, was the reconstruction of the oasis environment. It was originally a large field for industrial agriculture, without trees. We have worked there for years, dug ponds and streams, planted timber, and created swamps and meadows. Forgive us with little pride, but the result was amazing. Thousands of wild bird pairs choose to live in the oasis every spring. Even today, every year, a new species, or more than one species, is added to the list; although it may not be easy to try again provoking watching our first colonial overlap of Aironi, in 1992, with 130 nests, now more From three hundred (and even five hundred in wet years). In late spring, when admiration in less than half a hectare may be admired by two thousand Heronians, determined on their affairs, the mind extends to the great landscapes of the marshes of Africa.
