POST-CONFERENCE EXCURSION         A 4-day post-conference excursion will visit the main ultramafic outcrops of Tuscany, Emilia, Piedmont and Liguria regions. The sites to be visited are nature reserves associated within the C.A.P.O. (Coordination of Ophiolitic Protected Areas) and form a site network devoted to the conservation of habitats on serpentine soils. The post-conference excursion is organized by Prof. Mauro Mariotti (University of Milan) and Dr. Andrea Saccani (National Coordinator of the C.A.P.O.). Local experts will guide the excursion at each site.     The excursion will depart in the morning of May 14 from Siena and will be back in the evening of May 17. On May 17 it will be possible to reach the airports of Pisa or Florence for earlier departures (Pisa can be reached by 10.30 and Florence can be reached by 12.00).           A limited number of seats for the post-conference excursion are available (about 50) and we will arrange a priority list based on reservation date. Delegates wishing to join the post-conference excursion should register as soon as possible to be sure of obtaining a seat.           In 2001, a network of 11 Italian protected areas was created to protect serpentine habitat (Mont Avic Regional Park, Beigua Regional Park, Capanne di Marcarolo Regional Park, Aveto Regional Park, Monte Prinzera Regional Reserve, Rupe di Campotrera Regional Reserve, Monteferrato Protected Area, Pieve S. Stefano Serpentine Protected Area, Monti Rognosi Nature Reserve, Montenero Provincial Reserve, Monterufoli-Caselli Provincial Reserve). These Protected Areas are located within 5 different Regions (Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany). A coordination system was created by means of an Agreement Protocol (namely the Coordination of Ophiolitic Protected Areas or “C.A.P.O.”), with the purpose of comparing and exchanging scientific information and management experience, and promoting common actions in the fields of promotion, communication and educational. Because of this relationship between scientific research and environmental conservation in serpentine habitats, the mid-Conference field trip and a post-Conference field trip are organised to visit some of the Protected Areas participating to the C.A.P.O. network. Further information about the C.A.P.O. can be found at www.parks.it/aree.protette.ofiolitiche.           DAILY PROGRAM           14 MAY 2006     15 MAY 2006     16 MAY 2006     17 MAY 2006           Useful information, warnings and advice for the Post-Conference field excursion • Please see the map on the next page to see the route of travel and locations of stops. • The visited areas are in a Mediterranean climatic region. However, since in mid-May the weather can be still unsettled (fresh or rainy) and the elevation can reach 500-1000 m above sea level, adequate mountain clothes and boots are recommended. • The Management Corporations of the visited Protected Areas will provide to the participants all possible logistic, technical and scientific support, including an indication of alternative opportunities in the case of rainy weather. • Because we will be visiting protected conservation areas, collecting a limited amount of specimens of minerals, rocks, soil, flora or fauna will be possible only upon request to the local guide or managers. • Documentation about visited areas and their essential scientific aspects will be provided to the participants, thanks to the Organizing Committee in association with the Coordination of Ophiolitic Protected Areas (C.A.P.O.). • If necessary because of particular reasons, the Organizing Committee may make changes to the program outlined above. In case, the participants will be informed as soon as possible.           MAP (click here to visit)