CEA WWF Monti della Laga Cultural Program

An environmental education center in the heart of the Laga mountains

The WWF "Monti della Laga" Environmental Education Center is located at the Bivio per Casagreca, in the municipality of Cortino, in the province of Teramo (Abruzzo), at an altitude of approximately 1,150 meters in the Prati Pantanelle area. Founded in 1987 by WWF Teramo, it was one of the first field-based environmental education centers in Italy: after an initial location in the hamlet of Elce, it is now housed in an old stone house restored by volunteers within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Since 2013, it has been recognized as a regional Environmental Education Center by the Abruzzo Region.

The annual cultural program

Every year, the CEA offers a calendar of free events running from July to October, curated by WWF Teramo in collaboration with the Teramo Amateur Astronomers Union and local experts. The meetings alternate between photo screenings, nature conferences, and guided hikes, often concluding with a convivial aperitif and stargazing far from light pollution.

• Meetings and screenings dedicated to the fauna and agrobiodiversity of Abruzzo, featuring local naturalists and photographers.
• Thematic hikes through pastures and forests, with views of the Laga and Gran Sasso massifs.
• Astronomical observations guided by Teramo's amateur astronomers, amidst lunar landscapes and starry skies.

A natural heritage to experience

The CEA in Cortino is a reference point for those wanting to get to know the Laga territory, one of the wildest areas of the Central Apennines. The activities, designed for families, schools, and nature lovers, combine scientific outreach with direct outdoor experiences. The facility features a conference room, laboratory spaces, and a large fenced courtyard, and also organizes nature exhibitions, nature camps, and training courses throughout the year.

Thanks to the collaboration between WWF Teramo, the Municipality of Cortino, and the Park Authority, the CEA "Monti della Laga" cultural program represents a precious opportunity to discover the biodiversity of inland Abruzzo and experience the mountains in a conscious and respectful way.