Embracing nature in the Casentino Forest National Park
Ridracoli, June 27, 2025 – To truly appreciate nature’s value, one must step into its embrace. Today, surrounded by the ancient trees of the Casentino Forest National Park (partner of Arcadia) stakeholders from across Emilia-Romagna gathered not in a conference room… but in an open-air laboratory. Nestled in the Bidente Lamone Valley, this immersive experience reminded everyone that emotion is the gateway to knowledge, and knowledge leads to awareness and action.
A living heritage rooted in Nature
The Casentino Forests, crowned by the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sasso Fratino beech forests since 1959, stand as a testament to nature’s resilience and wisdom. These ancient woods have thrived with minimal human intervention, providing a rare glimpse into ecosystems functioning in their purest form. Six carbon monitoring sites scattered across the park reveal that while the forests were historically used for resources, today they exemplify the power of preservation and the vital ecosystem services they provide, supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, and protecting the soil.
This “closer to nature” philosophy guides the work here: learning from natural processes rather than imposing upon them. The forests are not just a backdrop but a living classroom where participants observe ecosystem services firsthand.
Where forests and water intersect: the story of Ridracoli
Just beyond the forest lies the Ridracoli Dam, a symbol of human ingenuity working harmoniously with nature. In the 1970s, to address severe water shortages and poor water quality in the plains, the water consortium of Forlì and Ravenna launched the construction of an artificial reservoir. Managed today by Romagna Acque (the regional authority overseeing all water sources in Romagna and partner of Arcadia), the Ridracoli Dam was completed in just over a decade and now supplies 29 million cubic meters of water annually, accounting for 50% of the region’s supply.
However, this success brought new challenges. For 25 years, Romagna Acque has been committed to managing the surrounding forests to prevent soil erosion that could deposit debris into the reservoir, threatening water quality. Since the mid-1980s, more than 20 million euros have been invested in forest protection, underscoring the critical link between healthy forests and clean water.
Co-Innovation Lab 1: a forum for sustainable solutions
Against this rich environmental and historical backdrop, the Co-Innovation Lab 1 convened a diverse group of around forty stakeholders, including regional representatives, local experts, and community members, to engage in dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
The lab’s focus is Sustainable Forest Management, aiming to enhance Ecosystem Services, among which w analysed:
- Hydrological protection and erosion reduction
- Biodiversity
- Carbon sequestration
- Sustainable production of forest resources
Guided by detailed maps developed by the University of Bologna and supported by social innovation tools such as canvases and professional facilitators, participants engaged creatively and openly. This approach fostered knowledge exchange, personal insight sharing, and innovative thinking, ensuring local perspectives are integrated into future forest management plans.
Learning from Nature and history
The workshop emphasized that forest stability is enhanced by species diversity. Historically, the Camaldolese monks promoted pure beech forests, but today a mixed forest of beech and fir is recognized as more resilient—beech trees absorb 97% of light, while firs thrive in shaded conditions. The forests here have a rich cultural legacy, providing timber for iconic structures like the ships of the Renaissance and the Dome of Florence.
The lab also explored zoning strategies to balance conservation and sustainable use, with some monumental forest areas allowing limited interventions like small-scale selective logging to encourage natural regeneration.