Riserva naturale Vincheto di Cellarda, Protected nature reserve in Province of Belluno, Italy.
Riserva naturale Vincheto di Cellarda is a state nature reserve situated along the Piave River, encompassing wetland areas with ponds, lakes, and diverse plant and animal habitats. The terrain combines naturally formed water bodies with managed zones that support numerous species adapted to moist environments.
From the mid-19th century the area was run by the Ministry of Finance; in 1881 it passed to the Forestry Corps, which from 1901 used it as a vincheto, growing osiers for wicker. Fish-rearing tanks for trout, a nursery and a beekeeping school were added. The flood of 4 November 1966 destroyed the vincheto, never restored; ministerial decrees of the 1970s made it a nature reserve.
The area was called Salét for its many willows, and from 1901 the Forest Corps grew osiers here for basket-making, alongside a fish hatchery, a nursery and a beekeeping school. The flood of 4 November 1966 destroyed the vincheto and it was never replanted; over 120 willow varieties introduced since 1901 survive in the vegetation.
The site features walking paths and observation points where visitors can watch birds, fish, and other wildlife, with informational signs explaining the local ecosystem. Spring and fall offer the best conditions for seeing animals active in and around the water.
The willow collection dates from 1901, when the forestry corps planted over 120 varieties and sub-varieties, chiefly Salix viminalis, Salix purpurea, Salix amygdalina and Salix incana. The plants survive, but the vincheto that produced weaving willow was destroyed by the 4 November 1966 flood and never replanted.
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