Forests created or improved Campo dei Fiori Park

The project focuses on two areas within the park: the summit of the massif and the Zambella locality on the lower slopes.

At the summit, extreme weather events have destroyed entire sections of forest. Many of the existing forests consisted of Norway spruce and Japanese larch—non-native species planted decades ago. These damaged forests are now more vulnerable and less capable of supporting biodiversity. In this area, the project involves removing more than 3,500 dead or fallen trees that could fuel future fires; planting 5,000 new native trees and shrubs, typical of this habitat; and planting 5,700 willow cuttings (young branches ready to root) to stabilise the soil and reduce erosion.

We also aim to increase biodiversity by creating small open spaces in the forest—clearings and nutrient-poor meadows. These areas provide light and space for many herbaceous plants and attract pollinating insects, birds, and small mammals. Native wildflowers will be sown, and bat roost trees will be installed. Species benefiting from these actions include roe deer, red deer, the rare endemic beetle Duvalius ghidinii, the large black woodpecker, and various diurnal and nocturnal raptors.

In Zambella, efforts are focused on restoring abandoned ancient chestnut groves. In this area: old chestnut trees will be pruned and cared for; new grafted chestnut trees will be planted; and the meadow beneath the trees will be restored to promote biodiversity and wildlife movement. These interventions will support species such as the stag beetle (a rare protected beetle), the black woodpecker, rare mosses (bryophytes), and several bird and bat species.

This project is co-financed by the “Biodiversity and Climate” (BioClima) initiative of the Lombardy Region and supported by Fondazione Cariplo. BioClima is part of the Lombardy Plan and the LIFE GESTIRE 2020 project, aimed at creating public-private financing models to catalyse investment in biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation projects in Lombardy’s forests and protected areas.