Adopt a tree and protect Forest of the Stars

In Val di Fiemme, one of the most picturesque valleys in the Dolomites, lies a place of unique significance in the history of our mountains. Here, in late October 2018, Storm Vaia felled thousands of trees, paving the way for the bark beetle infestation that went on to affect even the surviving trees in the years that followed. From that wound, a path to regeneration is now emerging.

Regeneration begins with the land: we will plant 15,000 new trees, selecting native and diverse species to increase biodiversity and make the forest more resilient to the extreme events that climate change is making ever more frequent. For this project, we are collaborating with the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, the thousand-year-old body that has managed the valley’s forests for centuries. But rebirth also stems from awareness. That is why we will reopen the area to the public, restoring the path that runs through it and enhancing it with educational panels. Along the route, visitors will be able to discover not only the effects of Storm Vaia and the bark beetle on the landscape, but also how to observe and interpret the starry sky, which the very absence of the forest has now made more visible than ever. Guiding us on this journey between Earth and sky is “Chi ha paura del buio? (Who’s Afraid of the Dark?)”, through which we will develop the educational content for the trail and organise stargazing evenings to discover together the wonders of the sky above the Val di Fiemme.

The project has been made possible thanks to the VKR Group’s Employee Foundation, which has supported the adoption of the first 15,000 trees and the creation of the footpath and educational trail.

Now you can be part of it too. Help us make the Forest of Stars grow even more: adopt a new tree and help us reach an even bigger target – 20,000 trees.