History
The Cesano Maderno Oasis is located in an area characterised by a past of heavy industrial exploitation, resulting in serious pollution. Despite the degradation, the area still had important natural elements. Today, thanks to the work of Lipu, a great deal of restoration work has been carried out and the Cesano Maderno Oasis is home to a Visitor Centre, an educational trail of over 4 kilometres and a 3-hectare area with educational microhabitats that reproduce the typical environments of the Groane.
The Cesano Maderno Oasis was established in 1997 as a result of the collaboration between Lipu, the Cesano Maderno Municipality and the Parco delle Groane.
Habitat
The Oasis is characterised by the presence of degraded Robinia woods, which nevertheless preserve portions of oak woods, birch groves and large clearings occupied by shrubs, especially dog rose and hawthorn. A typical formation of the Groane is the moorland, once created by grazing and fires, now carefully maintained and declared of “community interest” by the European Union. Also typical of the area are the so-called “groana ditches”, tributaries in the middle of the woods, sometimes with little water, often dry, but flooded during heavy rainfall.
The most typical birds of the Oasis are the Woodpeckers (Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Wryneck) and other woodland species (Tits, Treecreepert, Nuthatch), as well as some species of diurnal birds of prey, such as Kestrels, Sparrowhawks and Honey Buzzards, which nest in the Groane plain. The Oasis is also home to all four species of nocturnal birds of prey present in the Po Valley: Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl and Barn Owl. The shrublands provide an ideal site for the Lesser Grey Shrike and the Whitethroat while the streams and ponds are home to the Little Bittern, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Bunting and Kingfisher.
A view of the Oasis (photo: Andrea Mazza)
Services and facilities
The Oasis has a Visitor Centre, with a car park, picnic area, services and a warehouse, where it is possible to find information material and where small exhibitions are set up. Adjacent to the Visitor Centre is a 3-hectare area, completely recreated with educational microhabitats, where the typical environments of the Groane are recreated. A 4-kilometre path, equipped with educational panels, winds through the Oasis.
The Oasis has a rich programme of educational activities for schools, from nursery to high school, as well as many nature events throughout the year.
To visit in the area
The Oasis is part of the Parco delle Groane, a characteristic and “miraculous” example of a metropolitan protected area, where it is possible to visit the nature reserves of Ca’ del Re, Biulé, Boschi di S. Andrea and Ceriano, and the former powder magazine. North of the Groane, in continuity, is the Brughiere Regional Park.
Summary
Locality Cesano Maderno (MB): Via Don Orione: The Oasis is located in the territory of three municipalities in the province of Monza-Brianza, Cesano Maderno, Limbiate and Bovisio Masciago – completely within the Parco delle Groane, on the very first terraces of Brianza.
Open to the public: Open to the public all year round and admission is free. The Visitor Centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday, all year round except for the Christmas holidays. Guided tours for groups and school parties must be booked.
How to get there: From Milan or Como take the old state road 35 (dei Giovi-Comasina) or the dual carriageway to Meda, as far as Cesano Maderno, then follow the signs for the Oasis. By train Cesano Maderno is directly connected to Milan, Como and Brianza by the Ferrovie Lombarde: the station is one kilometre from the Oasis. The Oasis is linked to a network of cycle paths in the Groane Park.
Surface area: 100 hectares
website: www.oasicesanomaderno.it
email: oasi.cesanomaderno@lipu.it
Telephone/Fax: Tel 0362 546827
Manager: Silvia Baldo
