We the Italians June 14, 2015 - 62 | Page 48

th # 62 • JUNE 12 , 2015 read more about EXPO 2015: EXPO 2015 Biodiversity Park The Expo’s Biodiversity Park is the result of a partnership between BolognaFiere and the Expo 2015 SpA., in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies, the Ministry of the Environment, Protection of Land and Sea, and FederBio. The Thematic Area of Expo Milano 2015 dedicated to biodiversity covers 8,500 square meters, and includes a theatre and two Pavilions, one dedicated to Organic and Natural Products, the other housing the Biodiversity exhibition. The term agrobiodiversity refers to all plant varieties cultivated and animal breeds raised, to agriculture, agroecosystems, and arable land. It also includes the genetic resources of plants and animals, edible plants and agricultural crops, traditional varieties and ancient recipes, livestock, fish, and land micro-organisms, irrigation waters, and cultivated lands, seeds and types of farming establishments. We cannot talk about food and the future of the planet, or about the global challenges for ensuring nutrition and sustainable development, without also discussing agricultural biodiversity and its evolution and protection. These naturally lead to organic farming methods that play a crucial role in the conservation and implementation of biodiversity. The goal of the Biodiversity Park is to call attention to Italy’s outstanding qualities in terms of the environment, agriculture, and food production. Visitors to the park will see how Italy’s agricultural biodiversity has evolved and has been taken care of, their visit complemented by events, seminars, and multi-media experiences. The objective of BolognaFiere in creating the park and partnering 48 | WE THE ITALIANS www.wetheitalians.com