Santa Luce Reserve

The Santa Luce lake was created in the 1960’s by the company Solvay, as an artificial reservoir and over the years has seen rapid colonization by marsh vegetation and by numerous species of aquatic fauna.

The LIPU (Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli) Reserve at Santa Luce came into being in 1992 following an agreement between Solvay Italia (owners of the lake) and LIPU (who manage the area) together with the collaboration of the Pisa province, the council of Santa Luce and Solvay itself.

Thanks to the contributions of public bodies and Solvay Italia, much has been developed at the Reserve including improved teaching and educational matierals.  The interest that the Province of Pisa has shown towards a policy of protection and development of the protected areas present on its territory, working in agreement with Solvay, lead to the founding of the ANPIL Santa Luce Lake in 1997 and subsequently in 2000 the area was transformed into a National Reserve – recognition of the value of this area and a guarantee for its protection in the future.

Today the lake fulfills all the objectives that the LIPU set almost 30 years ago.  Surrounded by hills and fields, the reserve covers 278 hectares, including the entire surface of the lake and an external zone characterized by a rich aquatic vegetation.  The position of the lake just a few kilometers from the coast and the surrounding hills makes this reserve an important stop for birds during their migration.