The second stakeholder workshop of the InnoForESt Horizon 2020 Project has taken place in Primiero (https://forestefauna.provincia.tn.it/Pubblicazioni-e-progetti/Progetti/Progetto-InnoForESt) to discuss different options of four major management issues related to the restoration and enhancement of forest ecosystem services. Such issues had come out of a previous workshop held in January 2019 (https://forestefauna.provincia.tn.it/news/Progetto-InnoForESt-Primo-workshop-di-scambio-con-i-portatori-di-interesse-Primiero-22-gennaio-2019).

The workshop was split in two sessions: one held on May 8th at the Primiero community assembly room, the other held on May 23rd at the headquarter of the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Natural Park.

In the first session, we discussed about:

  • the possibility to restore pastures in mid-elevation mountain areas to recover areas for mowing, reduce the import of forage, increase the tourist appeal of some areas of Primiero, enhance biodiversity, while supporting local breeders;
  • the possibility to arrange a voluntary fund-raising initiative to restore and enhance ecosystem services. With the involvement of various actors (Trentino Marketing, Tourist Office), this could: guarantee a greater and more extended presence of tourists, widen the spectrum of visitors, increase job opportunities for local firms and other professionals employed by the tourist industry (e.g. Alpine guides, hiking guides).

In the second session, we focused on the valorization of the wood supply-chain via the strengthening of collaborations between administrators and woodsmen, and specifically discussed about:

  • the possibility to develop a shared management approach by which forestry firms collaborate on the provision of services for cutting and wood removal, the handling of supply and demand, and the organization of sales;
  • the possibility to develop a shared management approach by which forest owners adopt common systems for the measurement of lots and their sales.

During the second session, administrators and firms have highlighted the importance of collaboration, but also the difficulties imposed by bureaucratic and technical constraints. Stakeholders emphasized the benefits of sales at the roadside level, the need for uniform sale contracts and the potential value of local multi-annual auctions.

In general, stakeholders highlighted the need to valorize mid-elevation mountain areas through the enhancement of tourist opportunities and an award-based management of pasture/grasslands (i.e. owners receive funds if they prove they can keep pastures in certain conditions over time). The fragmentation of properties, however, is still a big obstacle to the implementation of such ideas. Finally, investments in school and professional education to improve knowledge of the territory have also been deemed important.

Based on information collected during the workshop, an innovative management system will be developed that can safeguard ecosystem services and that will be shared among the project’s partners and promoted at the EU level.

For further information on the project: https://innoforest.eu/

By: Dr. Caterina Gagliano (PAT)

    Project Coordinator

    PAT – Forest and Wildlife Service of the Autonomous Province of Trento