Forestami, the Milan-based project to plant 3 million trees by 2030

The initial project, which began as a challenge to bring greenery back to Milan through shrubs and plants, has evolved into something more. So much so that a foundation was established and, a few years later, the project received recognition from the United Nations for its work in restoring ecosystems. This is Forestami, the initiative created to bring nature back to the Milan metropolitan area, conceived by Stefano Boeri, and included amongst the UN’s World Restoration Flagships. “The only European initiative amongst the eight honoured in 2026,” emphasised the organisers during COP17 on biodiversity in Yerevan. “It all began as a project seeking to answer the question of how trees and shrubs can improve air quality,” explains Maria Chiara Pastore, scientific director of Forestami and lecturer at the Politecnico di Milano. “To take this project forward, we have been working on three strands, ranging from scientific research to skills development, right through to communication.”

The starting point is the Milan metropolitan area, where intensive urbanisation intersects with the environmental challenges of the Po Valley. The project therefore has a target for 2030: to help increase tree canopy cover by 5 per cent through ‘the planting of three million trees – roughly one for every inhabitant of the area – and the subsequent regeneration of 255 hectares of urban areas’. These initiatives may involve a variety of spaces, from derelict sites to urban areas to be returned to nature, with the aim of restoring ecological value and offering new opportunities for enjoyment in places currently regarded as ‘grey’.

This is also because nature itself can help to moderate temperatures and counteract the heat island effect, improving air quality and promoting biodiversity. “The restoration of ecosystems,” he adds, “therefore represents an investment in the liveability of public spaces and the wellbeing of communities.”

“The restoration of ecosystems requires a holistic approach, capable of enhancing the ecological characteristics of local areas, protecting biodiversity and strengthening the connections between natural environments,” adds the director. “ “Through Forestami, we are also working to foster a new culture of nature in cities, so that it is recognised as a fundamental component of the design and transformation of modern cities.” This initiative also includes the award, which the professor regards as “an opportunity to share our experience and engage in international dialogue on the environmental challenges that lie ahead.”

Alongside its projects in the local area, Forestami runs awareness-raising and educational initiatives aimed at adults and schools, with a view to raising awareness of the value of urban ecosystems and ensuring that caring for nature becomes part of every citizen’s daily life.