The Journal Of Renzo Videsott: The “Historical Archives” Of Nature Protection in Italy in the Period 1944–1953

Abstract

Professor Renzo Videsott was a pioneer of Nature protection in Italy from 1943 to 1974. His daughters describe his background and early experiences, as rock climber, student of Veterinary Medicine and hunter, which contributed to the development of his future involvement with Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso (PNGP), the culmination of his interest in mountains and animals, and to which he dedicated his energies until his death. He was active in the field of respect for Nature and conservation in Italy and abroad: in 1947 he took part in the first post-war convention of nature conservationists at Brunnen (CH), in 1948 he founded the Movimento Italiano per la Protezione della Natura (MIPN) and contributed to establishing the Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature (UICN). He achieved many important results for PNGP, particularly for its Alpine Capra ibex, carefully taking notes of all the events and personalities concerned. This is why the Journal of Renzo Videsott (1943-54) can be considered the “Historical Archives” of the protection of Nature in Italy during that period, and should be published.