Culture lovers in Italy have a chance to help save some of the country's cherished sites from ruin by donating two euros in a text message with a new campaign by the Italian Environment Foundation.

From a picturesque bay on the Amalfi coast to a crumbling medieval tower in the Tuscan town of San Gimignano, the money collected will go towards protecting vulnerable nature spots and restoring beloved heritage sites.

A similar campaign last year raised 300,000 euros (415,000 dollars) for the upkeep of a park in Umbria and the restoration of an ornamental public fountain in L'Aquila damaged during an earthquake in April 2009....