Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris): the color of its back varies from red to black, its tail long and bushy. It lives in the conifer and beech wood forests of the area. It is very active during the day and spends most of its time building drays. It feeds on seeds, tree buds, nuts, grubs, insects, eggs and small birds. It climbs with great ability and comes down the tree headfirst.

Common Hare (Lepus europaeus): it is much bigger than the wild rabbit and has longer ears and paws. It lives in open woods, cultivated fields or pastures and can be found in mountain areas up to 1500 meters altitude. It does not dig burrows but rests and breeds its young on land covered by high grass. It feeds on roots, berries, bark, fruits and agricultural products from the fields.

The Teso Forest: the forest area of Teso, which has as its historic heart Maresca, spreads over an area of almost 2000 hectares from the river Reno to that of Verniana, from Pracchia to San Marcello. It has its origins with the Grand Dukes, followed by the Forestry Commission and today it is property of the Tuscan Region under the management of the municipality of Montana Appennino Pistoiese.
The most common tree is that of the beech (Fagus sylvatica) and the sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa). The beech woods of Rombiciaio, in the plain "Pian della Trave" and from other areas above Maresca constitute wonderful woods of high density. Introduced in more recent times, there are numerous conifers that create their own forests or make up part of mixed-species forests. Amongst the bird population you can find examples such as the Great Spotted Woodpecker and the Song Thrush. Also present, but more difficult to see are foxes, roe deer, fallow deer and deer.

Rifugio del Montanaro: Opened in 1963, it is located in the Teso Forest at 1567 metres of altitude, near "Poggio dei Malandrini". The refuge, managed by CAI Maresca Montagna Pistoiese, is open all Sundays and holidays except Christmas and Easter. It has 12 beds, several tables both inside and outside, a panoramic terrace and a solar-powered electrical system. There is, adjacent to it, a campsite with campfire facilities that is open all year. For information contact: CAI Maresca Montagna Pistoiese, Villaggio Orlando, 100 - 51023 Campotizzoro, phone/fax 0573.65074; www.caimaresca.it.

Astronomy Observatory of Pistoia's Mountains
It is located in Pian dei Termini, near Gavinana, at an altitude of 950 meters. The Council of San Marcello, with a financial contribution from the Tuscan Region and the Provincial Associations and the Council of Piteglio, built it in 1991 under request of a group of astronomy lovers (Gruppo Astrofili della Montagna Pistoiese). It has two revolving domes with a 5-metre diameter and 2 telescopes: the oldest is 410 millimeters in diameter and the second, set up in 2003, 600 millimeters in diameter. The structure is extremely well equipped and has conference facilities. The Group carries out educational and divulgation activities as well as research in astrometry, and of new planets and comets. For information contact the Public Library (Biblioteca Comunale) of San Marcello, phone 0573.621289.

Achilli Building in Gavinana - Information Point of Eco-museum of the Mountain of Pistoia
This structure, built in the second half of the 16th century by Prince Ludovico Appiani of Piombino, and later property of the Achilli family, was recently renovated by the Province of Pistoia and now hosts the Information Point of the Eco-museum of the Mountains of Pistoia. Inside there is room available for exhibitions, workshops and a Mountain Folk Song Archive. The Museum, created in 1990, consists of six "theme itineraries" (Ice, Iron, Sacred Art, Popular Religion, Daily Llife, Nature and Stone) that include outdoor tours, to museums, educational structures, mills and to see historical products. This ensemble of "symbols" of the territory, carefully retrieved and conserved, allows us to understand the rapport between man and environment. For information contact the Cultural Office (Ufficio Culturale) of the Province of Pistoia; phone 0573.974676; www.provincia.pistoia.it/ecomuseo