Sea, plain, hill and mountain, from the point of view of nature Friuli Venezia Giulia is really a rich region thanks to the features of its territory and geology.

PROVINCE OF TRIESTE

A very small surface, close to the sea and Slovenia, the predominant landscape is the Karst highland.
Carso Triestino: The word Carso (Kras in Slovenian and Krast in German), comes from the root ‘karra’, pre-Indo-European according to linguists, and meaning stone. And stone is the very essence of the Carso, the Calcium Carbonate. From a geographical point of view, Carso, indicates the highland, a time called Carsia Giulia, which stands to the East and SE of the city of Trieste. Today it is occupied by Trieste and Slovenia.
The Italian part of Carso spread for 40 Kilometres from the San Michele Mountain to the Val Rosandra, and about 5 kilometres of width. The main feature of this landscape is the absence of a drainage system on the surface. The only river visible is that one in the Val Rosandra. The other small streams flow under the ground and then comes out again, after a long underground path. So the landscape could seem a stony arid field, but in reality it hides many treasures. Such as:

• Grotta Gigante: it represents an exception within the Carsic phenomenon, The Cave has such an enormous room (280 meters long, 65 meters wide and with a 107 meters high cupola) that it could host something as big as St. Peter’s Cathedral.

• Strada Napoleonica: so called cause people believe that this road was created by Napoleonic troops. The path spread from Opicina Obelisco, for 5.5 Kilometres to Prosecco. It is a pleasant walk in the green colour of the pinewood, the red of  sumach bushes and the smell of sage. Sheltered by the Bora it is often sunny ideal for winter walk.

• Foiba di Basovizza: it is not really a natural pothole created by Carsic phenomenon but an hoisting shaft of lignite, created in the last century. At the beginning it was deep 300 metres but it reduced till the depth of 135 metres, filled by debris, war material and unfortunately corpses.

• Dolina di Percedol: with its 34 metres is one of the most huge and deep dolina of Carso. The particular climate create an habitat without equal. The dolina presents the phenomenon of thermic inversion: the temperature reduce one degree every 10 metres of depth.

RISERVA NATURALE DELLA VAL ROSANDRA

It is in the South-eastern part of Trieste district. It includes a beautiful valley formed by the erosion of the Rosandra stream, that dug a deep hollow in the soil. And the highest peak of the zone: the Cocusso Mountain (670 Metres). The area is crossed by a contact fault between limestone and flysch that with the peculiarity of  orography and windiness create the richness of local flora, characterized by endemisms and rare species.
The area is of particular interest for the presence of amphibians, reptiles and birds.
One of the most suitable places for people who loves nature, speleologists and alpinists, it offers a wonderful panorama on cliffs, screes, and faces which fall sheer to the river.

RISERVA NATURALE DELLE FALESIE DI DUINO

It includes the only example of high cliffs of North Adriatic Sea, a wonderful coastline with white falesie which fall sheer to the sea.
On the edge of the falesie, in the midway between the sea and Carso, runs the famous panoramic path dedicated to the poet Rilke. The particular exposition toward South and the mitigating influence of the sea support the growth of a big variety of plants. Such as the typical Mediterranean vegetation like:  sage, broom, ilex and wild olive, or other typical of Carsic landscape like the oak. The animals typical of the area are ravens, blue rock thrushes and peregrine hawks.

RISERVA NATURALE DEL MONTE LANARO 

Its surface is spread in part  of scrubs and in part of durmast and Turkey oak wood, while in the Southern part dominate a black pine-clad  area. Its deep dolina host rare species of flora. As far as the fauna, it presents a discrete number of mountain cats and European hedgehogs. In some case, but not very often, are visible brown bears and jackals.

RISERVA NATURALE DEL MONTE ORSARIO 

It is a site of Karst nature, with hills, dolina and other superficial phenomenon. Its scrub consisting of Black Carpinus and Quercus pubescens, there are also durmast and Turkey oak woods.
As far as the fauna, it presents a discrete number of mountain cats and European hedgehogs. In some case, but not very often, are visible brown bears and jackals.

RISEVA MARINA DI MIRAMARE 

The Riserva Marina di Miramare lies in front of the homonymous castle. Today the reserve represents a major test rig for the experimentation of new educational and scientific methods regarding the knowledge and conservation of the marine ecosystem. A leading cultural, educational, and scientific area, the Reserve is committed to maintain and protect the marine environment of Miramare, where geomorphologic, physical, and chemical features create a precious biodiversity casket representing the biotic communities of the Upper Adriatic Sea.

PROVINCE OF GORIZIA 

From North to the South this province embraces a costal Adriatic strip and the territory of Karst of  Gorizia.

RISERVA NATURALE DELLA FOCE DELL’ISONZO 

In the Southern part of Adriatic sea, where Timavo river flows, begin a costal strip characterized by shallow water and a particular lagoon habitat which includes Venice and finish at the Po delta.
The reserve includes the last tract, between Monfalcone and Grado, and the mouth of the river Isonzo. It stands on an area of 2400 hectares, long the last 15 Kilometres of the mouth of the river which id divided in two part by the island of Cona. The are many strategic points to observe the rich and varied fauna, especially birds.

RISERVA NATURALE DI VALLE CAVANATA

The Reserve is situated in the Municipality of Grado (location Fossalon), in the easternmost part of the "Laguna di Grado", and it was in the past a fishing valley.
The presence of several environments between the sea and the mainland (lagoon, beach, wood, meadow, fishing valley, pond) makes it an ideal place for the stop and the nesting of several species of birds, while others simply spend the winter here: on the whole 260 bird species have been identified. Riserva della Valle Cavanata has been declared a wetland of international value by the Ramsar Convention and it is part of the net Natura 2000, since it is a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).

RISERVA REGIONALE DEI LAGHI DI DOBERDO’ E PIETRAROSSA 

The area is characterized by two large Karst hollows partially filled by the lake of Doberdo' and the lake of Pietrarossa, which are one of the few examples of Karst lake-pond in Europe. The hollows are separated by a calcareous mountain ridge with numerous visible Karst phenomena. When the level of water of the lakes reaches its low because the tributary rivers are at their low too, the surface which is left free, that is not occupied by the reed thickets, is limited to a few canals and pools. The biodiversity of animals and plants is very rich thanks to the presence of different habitats such as barren land and Karst brush-wood and aquatic associations.

PROVINCE OF UDINE

It's the largest of the region and extends from the sea to the mountain.

PARCO NATURALE REGIONALE DELLE DOLOMITI FRIULANE 

Parco Naturale Regionale delle Dolomiti Friulane is part of the Western mountain area dominating the high plain of Friuli. It lies between the rivers Tagliamento and Piave. The area is characterized by the wilderness of its large valleys which present nor main roads or villages and stretch among the Dolomitic peaks. "Biodiversity" (extremely diversified presence of flora and fauna) is an important aspect of the park which is favoured by the differences in height, by the particular geographical position and by the climate. A part of the park is in the area of Pordenone.

PARCO NATURALE REGIONALE DELLE PREALPI GIULIE 

Parco Naturale Regionale delle Prealpi Giulie presents a mountain chain characterized from steep slopes in the South. Among the Eastern summits, it is possible to see the massif of Mt. Canin with the only glacier in the region. In the North the vegetation is characterized from beech tree woods with hop hornbeams and flowering ashes, while the Southern slopes are covered by huge groups of mugo pines, black pinewoods, and going higher, wide grasslands. The flora presents both Alpine and North-Illyrian elements, with endemic species living here since the Quaternary glaciations.
As far as the fauna is concerned, the Park houses roe deer, bears, rock partridges, and golden eagles.

RISERVA NATURALE DELLE FOCI DELLO STELLA 

The area is a nature reserve of very high interest, situated east of the village of Marano and crossed by the mouth of the river Stella. It consist in a huge and luxuriant reed thicket crossed by a tortuous drainage system towards the lagoon.

RISERVA NATURALE DEL LAGO DI CORNINO 

The area of the reserve is characterized by a beautiful landscape and extends between the south-eastern rocky spurs of Prealpi Carniche and the alluvial plain of the river Tagliamento. It cover  great part of the river plain for about  6 Kilometres. It includes grasslands and the cultivated lands near the inhabited area and to the West the rocky area upon the Cornino. Lake,  cliffs and debris cones separate the Tagliamento from the Mountains. Although the altitude is not so elevated there are big drops from the lake that is at 170 metres above the sea level to the highland of mountain Prat which stands at 700 metres above sea level.

RISERVA NATURALE DELLA VAL CANAL NOVO 

Most of the territory of the Val Canal Novo Nature Reserve is included in a valley which was formerly exploited for fishing activities. The Reserve is named after this very same valley. Within the reserve there are some arable lands and damp areas with variable degree of salinity.
Thanks to its proximity to the town of Marano Lagunare, the reserve hosts the visitor centre and other facilities for the visitors. The area is suitable for programs of environmental education and for learning activities on the system of the lagoon.

RISERVA STATALE CUCCO 

Area of Alpi Carniche in the Tarvisio forest, of very high botanic interest thanks to the presence of Pinetum austro-alpinum creating a sub-association of  Pinus nigra. Although the reserve has small dimension its fauna is very reach and interesting.

 RISERVA STATALE RIO BIANCO 

The territory is impassable and wild formed by steep slopes, mobile screes and rocky cliffs. The vegetation which covers the slopes of the reserve is characterized by dynamism and pioneering of settlements. Like the Tarvisio forest it presents a great variety of fauna.

PROVINCE OF PORDENONE 

Is the western province without costal outlets.

PARCO NATURALE REGIONALE DELLE DOLOMITI FRIULANE

 It cover also a part of the area of Udine. Parco Naturale Regionale delle Dolomiti Friulane is part of the Western mountain area dominating the high plain of Friuli. It lies between the rivers Tagliamento and Piave. The area is characterized by the wilderness of its large valleys which present nor main roads or villages and stretch among the Dolomitic peaks. "Biodiversity" (extremely diversified presence of flora and fauna) is an important aspect of the park which is favoured by the differences in height, by the particular geographical position and by the climate.

RISERVA NATURALE REGIONALE FORRA DEL CELLINA

The reserve includes the big erosion created by Cellina stream in the limestone stratum between Barcis and Montereale, before its outlet to the huge plain of Pordenone.
The geomorphologic aspect is very similar to a grand Canyon, the biggest of the region, and of course one of the most spectacular in Italy.