From the damage caused by Vaia to the Forest of Stars, with 15,000 new trees

The reforestation project is helping to restore some of the areas destroyed by Storm Vaia. The species to be planted have been selected to recreate a diverse and resilient forest, capable of withstanding the effects of climate change. Alongside larch and Norway spruce, birch, European white birch, sycamore and Scots pine will also be planted. The distribution and placement of the plants will mimic the dynamics of the natural regeneration process in this type of woodland and therefore involves planting them in groups near the stumps of felled trees.

The E339 trail, a former military mule track of historical interest that runs alongside the reforestation area, is an important hiking route linking Valmaggiore to Lake Moregna. The regeneration project focuses on both safety and accessibility, as well as cultural preservation, and involves various measures, such as: the repair of the walking surface using specialised machinery designed for difficult terrain to improve its stability and walkability, the creation of drainage channels to manage water flow and reduce erosion; the construction of steps on the steepest and most damaged sections; and the laying of paving at the points most damaged and prone to erosion or waterlogging.

The development of the area also involves the creation of an educational trail designed to turn the damage caused by the storm into an opportunity, by establishing a trail dedicated to the themes of astronomy, forests and climate change: as the loss of tree cover caused by Vaia has opened up an unprecedented view of the sky, the project capitalises on this change to take visitors on a conceptual journey that begins with the observation of the sky and the stars, organised in collaboration with the science outreach project on astronomical topics entitled ‘Chi Ha Paura Del Buio?’ (‘Who’s Afraid of the Dark?’), and with a number of experts from the University of Padua.

The tour concludes with the young trees that have been planted to create the forest of tomorrow – one that is more robust and resilient. This is a symbol of the fact that we can still do something to mitigate climate change and adapt to the crisis we now find ourselves in, contributing, bit by bit, to ensuring a sustainable future for our planet.

Organised through a collaboration between Etifor’s WOWnature – a spin-off from the University of Padua – and the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, the project is supported by the VKR Group Employees’ Foundation which, through its ‘Reconnect with Nature’ call for proposals, enables Velux employees to propose and carry out initiatives to care for the local environment. In addition to its focus on ecological restoration and environmental impact, the programme aims to raise visitors’ awareness of the ongoing climate crisis.