Parco Naturale Valpometto

History of the largest natural area in Lomellina, created thanks to the foresight of administrators and the commitment of a group of environmentalists.

The Valpometto Nature Park is the splendid result of the passion, commitment, and also the foresight and stubbornness of Fulvio Pescarolo, an industrial expert from Robbio, a boiler technician, and a safety inspector for the Provincial Administration of Pavia's heating systems. Most importantly, in this case, he was a great nature enthusiast and a die-hard environmentalist, with the long-held "dream" of making Robbio the capital of Lomellina and Pavia's environmental movement. He aimed to create a large, vital "Green Lung" in the heart of the rice fields that dominate the area.

The perfect and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arose in 1995 when he became an assessor. Together with Mayor Renato Sandri, who shared the vision, Pescarolo took direct control of municipal lands, previously leased to farmers, and began transforming them into a natural area.

Fields and woods are mostly located in an area of the Robbio countryside marked on old maps as "Valpometto," the name that the park would eventually take. In just a few years, a significant portion of the land changed dramatically, becoming a beautiful green space, an authentic environmental treasure not only for Robbio but for all of Lomellina. This massive, rapid, and incredible transformation would not have been possible without Fulvio Pescarolo's dedication, which went beyond his skills as an able and persuasive public administrator. His personal involvement (he was even seen at night operating machinery to move earth) and his exceptional ability to involve others in sharing and executing this environmental project that benefits the entire community were key.

Dozens of Robbio residents and others spent their free time in Valpometto, volunteering their efforts without asking for anything in return, helping with ditch cleaning, planting, or moving soil and trees.

Many of them continue to collaborate with the Park's managers to this day. Between 1995 and 1996, the ARDEA, an environmental association from Robbio, was founded and began operating, promoted by Fulvio Pescarolo, who became its first president.

An extraordinary figure from Robbio, Giampiero Mazzotti, an artist and pranotherapist, also participated with great enthusiasm and special dedication. He had previously created "Il bosc ad Robi" on a strip of municipal land, a project that was later incorporated into the larger and more organized park.

In 1999, Fulvio Pescarolo, engaged in new professional pursuits, stepped down from his position, and the leadership of the park passed to his close and loyal collaborator Roberto Piedinovi. Piedinovi continued his predecessor's work, driven by the same spirit, dedication, passion, and organizational abilities, achieving always new and prestigious results.