Fastweb has promoted, in agreement with the Province of Lecce and in collaboration with the Municipality of Tuglie, a significant restoration project covering 10,000 square meters of the pine forest in Montegrappa, with the aim of contributing to the enhancement of the Salento region. The project is part of Mosaico Verde, the national campaign for urban and suburban reforestation, ecosystem restoration, and environmental regeneration, conceived and promoted by AzzeroCO2 in collaboration with Legambiente.
The selected area, located between the Neviano-Tuglie provincial road and Corso Cesare Vergine, was chosen for conservation due to the severe damage it has suffered in recent years from adverse weather events and wildfires. These phenomena have caused the fall of numerous trees, forcing the municipal administration, for safety reasons, to remove dangerously tilted trees at risk of collapsing. This intervention was therefore necessary to restore the forested area and protect a site of high landscape and social value.
The project, supported by Fastweb, focused on targeted actions for the recovery and regeneration of the pine forest. Activities included underbrush cleaning, pruning of dangerous trees, removal of trees at high risk of falling, and the planting of 100 new domestic pines, with the goal of regenerating the damaged section and promoting the full restoration of the entire forested area over time.
Beyond environmental recovery, the project also aimed to improve the area's usability for the community. The site includes recreational and wellness spaces: a picnic area with wooden tables and benches, a children's playground, and a network of pedestrian paths bordered by wooden fences, along which outdoor fitness equipment has been installed.
The intervention in the Municipality of Tuglie is part of Fastweb’s ongoing environmental protection initiatives. In 2021, the company joined the Mosaico Verde campaign, committing to the planting of 15,000 trees across various Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, Bari, Catania, Turin, Pomigliano D’Arco (NA), Pescara, Cagliari, and Mola di Bari (BA). For the 2024-2025 period, Fastweb has further expanded its commitment by supporting different types of interventions within Mosaico Verde, aimed at protecting and restoring forests or sites of historical and landscape interest across Italy.
After completing a project in the Beigua Natural Regional Park in the Province of Genoa and the initiative in Tuglie, the company will extend its activities to the Metropolitan City of Florence and the Municipality of Cuglieri in the Province of Oristano.
"The Province of Lecce has always been sensitive to the profound environmental changes caused by Xylella and has, for years, initiated collaboration agreements and reforestation interventions on various publicly owned areas with ARIF and the Sylva Foundation. Thanks to the Memorandum of Understanding signed with AzzeroCO2, we have promoted a further mapping of the Salento region, inviting all municipalities to identify areas available for reforestation, restoration, and landscape enhancement. This is part of a broader plan to create a more sustainable territory. Among the municipalities involved in this reforestation process, Tuglie provided a vast area in Montegrappa, where, thanks to Fastweb’s commitment, the planting of native species and the reconstruction of an entire green area have now been completed," stated Stefano Minerva, President of the Province of Lecce.
"The intervention, made possible through the agreement between the Municipality of Tuglie and AzzeroCO2, approved by the Municipal Council in July 2024, and with the invaluable support of Fastweb, will undoubtedly contribute to the rehabilitation and enhancement of one of the most important public green lungs in our municipality," stated Silvia Romano, Mayor of Tuglie.
"We are delighted to have contributed to the recovery and enhancement of such an important area for the Tuglie community. This intervention is a concrete example of our company’s commitment to environmental regeneration, ecosystem protection, and biodiversity. Collaborating with local institutions to restore a revitalized green space that promotes well-being, and accessibility is a fundamental step toward a more sustainable future," said Anna Lo Iacono, Head of Sustainability at Fastweb.
"In a context where climate change is putting ecosystems under pressure and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, interventions like the one carried out in Tuglie, in collaboration with Fastweb and the municipal administration, are crucial for protecting our natural heritage. Projects like this, which regenerate natural spaces, preserve biodiversity, and make them accessible to local communities, clearly demonstrate the importance of investing in ecosystem conservation and placing environmental respect at the heart of a shared vision for responsibility and sustainable development," stated Alessandro Martella, General Director of AzzeroCO2.
"In the Municipality of Tuglie, thanks to Fastweb’s support, a significant restoration intervention has been carried out in the Montegrappa pine forest, which has suffered severe damage in recent years due to wildfires and extreme weather events. This site represents a valuable ecosystem that must be protected, especially considering the challenges posed by climate change," said Daniela Salzedo, President of Legambiente Puglia. "Conservation and regeneration initiatives like this are essential to strengthening the region’s resilience. They not only contribute to environmental protection but also improve the quality of life for local communities and ensure a sustainable future for future generations."