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Updates from Val di Fiemme | October 2024 | Reforestation after the Vaia Storm
Val di Fiemme is reborn after storm Vaia thanks to a reforestation and forest protection project that has been ongoing since 2019. In cooperation with the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, we are planting new species such as larch, stone pine, maple, and birch, creating a more resilient and diverse forest. We are also tackling the bark beetle threat to ensure the new seedlings' healthy growth. Want to make a difference? Adopt a tree with WOWnature and contribute to the rebirth of this beautiful alpine forest.
Reforesting Val di Fiemme: our commitment after Vaia
Val di Fiemme is an iconic place in the Dolomites, known for its lush forests and natural beauty. However, in 2018 Storm Vaia devastated these forests, knocking down millions of trees and leaving behind a landscape marked by broken trunks and desolate clearings. Since then, WOWnature, in collaboration with the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme and thanks to the support of citizens and companies, has been working to restore the forests to the mountainsides of Trentino. Watch the video to discover how we are working on the territory.
One year of good results
‘We returned to Val di Fiemme to check the condition of the young plants planted in 2023,’ says Lucio Brotto, founder of WOWnature. ‘Thanks to favourable water conditions and a summer characterised by regular rainfall, the young plants held up well, despite the high temperatures during July and August.’ Reforestation is not only a landscape renaissance, but an investment in the future of biodiversity. Every plant planted is a hope for a healthier and more resilient ecosystem.
The bark beetle threat and the challenge of climate change
Despite encouraging results, Val di Fiemme continues to fight a complex battle. The typographical bark beetle, a small beetle that feeds on the bark of fir trees, has become a devastating threat after Storm Vaia. The large amount of felled timber created the ideal environment for the proliferation of this insect, turning a local problem into a full-blown epidemic that threatens the stability of the remaining forests. ‘To keep the spread of the bark beetle under control, we have installed traps to monitor the population of these insects,’ explains Lucio Brotto. ‘The aim is to prevent further damage and ensure that new seedlings can grow in a safer and more secure environment.’
Diversify to strengthen
One of the most important lessons learned from storm Vaia is that diversity is the key to resilience. In the past, the forests of Val di Fiemme were dominated by spruce, a species vulnerable to climate change and pests. Now, thanks to the support of the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme and our nursery business, we are creating a more diverse and resilient forest mosaic. ‘We are planting not only firs, but also larches, stone pines and deciduous species such as birches, sycamore maples and rowan trees,’ says Lucio Brotto. ‘The aim is to create a mixed forest, capable of adapting better to climate change and offering shelter to a wider variety of animal and plant species.’
Help us reforest Val di Fiemme
Every tree planted is a step towards creating a stronger and more diverse forest, better able to withstand extreme events and provide a safe habitat for local wildlife. Do you want to make a difference too? Adopting a tree with WOWnature means contributing to the regeneration of Val di Fiemme and leaving a legacy for future generations. Thanks to your support, we can continue to plant new species and make this valley a place where nature can thrive once again.
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