Forest Day: Over 50,000 New Trees Thanks to the Collaboration Between ASUC and VAIA

There are 53,085 new plants set in the ground thanks to the collaboration between the Provincial Association of Trentino ASUC and VAIA Benefit Corporation—a reality born in 2019 as a startup one year after the eponymous storm—with the aim of contributing to the reforestation of woodland areas hit by Storm Vaia and bark beetle attacks. On the occasion of the International Day of Forests on March 21, the Provincial Association calls attention to the value of the forest, active forest management, and reforestation as concrete tools for the protection of the territory, the landscape, and the capacity to adapt to climate change.

In this context, the collaboration represents a concrete example of how the commitment of local communities can translate into effective and lasting actions. Since its birth VAIA, led by president Federico Stefani, provides a model of “giving back” whereby for every single wooden product sold there corresponds a new tree in the areas hit by the storm: a virtuous model that, in addition to supporting the short supply chain of local artisans, contributes directly to reforestation and the improvement of forest resilience.

From 2020 to today, thanks to the collaboration between VAIA and the ASUCs of Alba, Baselga di Piné, Bedollo, Brusago, Canazei, Faida, Gries, Miola di Piné, Montagnaga, Penia, Piazze, Prè di Ledro, Regnana, Sternigo, Rover Carbonare, and Darzo, over 50 thousand new plants have been set in the ground, a result that represents about a quarter of the 200 thousand trees planted by VAIA since 2019. (here is the complete map of the plantings for further details)

President Robert Brugger emphasizes that “for communities holding collective property, active forest management means keeping together protection and use, conservation and responsibility, present and future. It is a work made of planning, maintenance, prevention, and long-term vision, often barely visible but fundamental for future generations, for the safety of the territories, the quality of the environment, the care of the landscape, and the continuity of a heritage that is for the benefit of all. Also thanks to this collaboration, these principles translate into concrete actions of reconstruction and care of the forests.”

The reforestation activity allows, in fact, the restoration of damaged woodland areas and the strengthening of the forest’s ecosystem services: soil protection, water and air quality, carbon dioxide absorption, production of raw materials, and safeguarding of biodiversity. A concrete commitment in collaboration between institutions, local companies, and communities for the protection of the landscape and for future generations.