World Reef Awareness Day – Between Science, Education, and Territory

June 1, 2025 – Geopark Center Leonardo Macaluso, Cacchiamo (Calascibetta)

On Sunday, June 1, in celebration of International Reef Day, the Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark hosted a new Geo-Event at the Leonardo Macaluso Geopark Center in Cacchiamo (Calascibetta). The event was organized by Si.M.Geo. – Ecomuseum System of the Rocca di Cerere Geopark and GAL Rocca di Cerere Geopark.

World Reef Awareness Day is an international occasion to raise public awareness about the crucial role coral reef ecosystems play in the health of our planet—now increasingly threatened by climate change and widespread coral bleaching.

Science and Awareness
The program began in the afternoon with official greetings from the Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark, followed by a scientific talk presented by the University of Catania, focusing on coral bleaching. The discussion was enriched by the contribution of Luca Alerci, science educator, who offered an in-depth look at the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.

The event continued with a guided tour inside the Macaluso Visitor Center, which, through multimedia tools and educational panels, offers an immersive journey into the region’s natural heritage and geodiversity.

The Cacchiamo Bioherm: A Geological Heritage to Discover
One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the excursion to the fossil bioherm geosite known as the “Corals of Cacchiamo”, led by Giuseppe M. Amato. This unique opportunity allowed participants to closely observe geological formations that document a remote past, offering valuable insights into the geological evolution of the Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark area.