The signs of the 1978 flood in the Vigezzo Valley (Northern Italy): a Citizen science project in the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark

A Citizen science project in the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark. (IT ISSN 0391-9838, 2023). On 7th-8th August 1978, a serious flood hit the Vigezzo valley, in the northeastern part of the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark (Northern Italy). The flood, strictly linked to the bedrock features, was triggered by heavy rains and made even worse by unsuitable urban sprawl. It left obvious scars in the landscape, which are now gradually being lost. The local population, as well as tourists, have a deep memory of the event, especially old people. Herein, we describe the Citizen Science Project, named The signs of the 1978 flood in the Vigezzo Valley: the population tells. Data collection started in 2021, through citizen collaboration (residents and tourists) and is still ongoing. With the support and patronage of many local entities (e.g. Municipalities), particularly the Regional Ecomuseum 'Of the Soapstone and of the Stone-cutters' ('Ed Leuzerie e di Scherpelit' in local dialect), in the Malesco Municipality, an electronic form/paper survey was distributed to collect information and pictures on the flood event, and to select the most meaningful sites in the valley, relating to the event. Thirty four sites were suggested by citizens and will be considered considered to create a community map and a trail of the flood event, to preserve and transmit this heritage to future generations. The Citizen Science Project is also discussed, as a contributor to different Sustainable Development Goals (mainly SDGs 4-9-11-13-17) of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations, in the framework of the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark.