The establishment of this Reserve dates back to 1997. Recently, the reserve and the large surrounding area were included among the Natura 2000 sites by the European Community, which wanted to make this territory a Site of Community Importance (SCI). The Serre di Ciminna consist of a ridge with an average altitude of 777 m above sea level and are characterized by rocky walls composed of gypsum and large crystals formed at least 6 million years ago. The karst phenomena are evidenced by numerous caves, sinkholes and swallow holes. The landscape surrounding them is mostly agricultural and pastoral. Due to the remote anthropization, it has no woody cover of the forest type and is dominated by grasslands, Mediterranean scrub, rock vegetation and agricultural crops. The site is also notable for its fauna. The rocky walls, in fact, are an excellent refuge for nocturnal and diurnal birds of prey, including the buzzard and the kestrel. Also important is the presence of rarer avian species such as the lesser kestrel, the lanner falcon and the very rare Egyptian vulture that finds refuge in these lands. Among the mammals, the porcupine and the hedgehog stand out.
