Italian Civil Society Secures 90-Hectare Fersinone Forest Through Landmark Crowdfunding Campaign

On January 20, 2026, the Italian Forest Fund (FFI) officially secured the management rights for the Bosco delle Sette Valli, a sprawling 90-hectare woodland situated along the Fersinone stream in the Umbria region. This significant acquisition, valued at 135,000 euros, was achieved entirely through a grassroots crowdfunding initiative. More than 200 private individuals and corporate entities contributed to the fund, notably achieving this milestone without any financial assistance from the state.

This operation represents a landmark achievement for the foundation, marking the first time it has taken stewardship of such a vast forest tract through the direct mobilization of civil society. Under the FFI mandate, the area is guaranteed legislative protection against all forms of commercial exploitation. This strategy promotes the "free evolution" of the natural landscape, which is essential for mitigating climate change and preserving local biodiversity. By remaining undisturbed, these forests act as vital carbon sinks, locking CO2 within the timber while simultaneously regulating local climates by maintaining soil moisture and preventing desertification.

Since its inception in 2018, the Italian Forest Fund has expanded its reach to manage 43 distinct forest plots, totaling 373 hectares. The Bosco delle Sette Valli now stands as the second-largest site within this growing network, highlighting the power of collective social action in environmental conservation. Building on this momentum, the fund has launched a supplementary campaign to raise 10,000 euros. These funds are earmarked for the purchase of a critical two-hectare core within the forest, intended for academic research and citizen science projects. Securing this specific plot will allow the foundation to protect a 2,300-meter stretch of the Fersinone stream's left bank.

Operating with a unique model that excludes paid staff, the FFI relies exclusively on private and corporate donations to maintain and grow its protected territories. Beyond land management, the foundation is a vocal advocate for granting the Fersinone ecosystem the status of a legal entity, drawing on international legal precedents. This concept of environmental personhood, which emerged over five decades ago, empowers individuals to seek legal redress on behalf of nature. By establishing rights and responsibilities for ecosystems, such initiatives challenge traditional top-down governance and create a legal sanctuary for ecological values that often clash with modern international law.

The Fersinone stream, the primary tributary of the Nestore River within the Tiber basin, is recognized for its exceptional ecological integrity, particularly its ichthyofauna which supports seven to eight different fish species. The forest itself, named "Seven Valleys" after the seven ravines that carve through its slopes, is traversed by a historical trail that once linked the settlement of Migliano to the ruins of the Rotaprona water mill. The successful campaign to save this woodland saw active participation from the Comune di Marsciano, GIT Banca Etica Umbria, and numerous volunteers. This collective acquisition, free from speculative interests, serves as a pioneering model for future conservation efforts rooted in civic responsibility.