Training the More Trees Now method in Oppido Lucano

Four community planting days in Rocciaviva’s lands

From November 27th to 30th, 2025, Rocciaviva hosted a series of training sessions in Oppido Lucano to introduce the “More Trees Now” methodology to communities in southern Italy. These workshops were part of the EU-funded More Trees Now Project, a collaborative effort involving six European organizations dedicated to adapting and scaling a community-driven reforestation model originally created in the Netherlands.

The centralized four-day event welcomed a new group of participants each day, allowing for practical demonstrations across diverse land contexts and soil types. Additionally, the initiative introduced attendees to local farmers and landowners who are already actively engaged in ecological restoration within the region. All sessions took place across various plots owned by Rocciaviva in the area.

Putting the core technique of the More Trees Now approach into practice, participants worked with both nursery-grown saplings and wild plantlets harvested directly from the surrounding landscape. In total, approximately 300 trees were successfully planted or transplanted over the course of the four days.

Program of the days

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Each session seamlessly integrated hands-on planting with opportunities to learn about the participating farms, the broader restoration initiative, and the work of local producers. The days began by contextualizing the valley’s regional regeneration; participants engaged in educational walks and discussions with landowners to understand their agricultural practices and environmental challenges. Following this introduction, activities shifted to fieldwork, where attendees practiced planting, transplanting, and identifying suitable wild saplings.

Community Dining and Local Networking Central to fostering community and celebrating the region, a shared lunch was included each day. These meals featured local ingredients alongside regional specialties brought by the participants themselves. Gathered outside or around a fire, these gatherings sparked meaningful dialogue regarding the territory’s economic potential, agricultural heritage, and future green business opportunities.

Reforestation Methodology and Outcomes Depending on the specific site conditions, both nursery-grown stock and locally harvested wild saplings were utilized. Due to Southern Italy’s arid climate, locating ideal sites for uprooting wild saplings is more challenging than in wetter European regions. Consequently, the project adapted by shifting its focus toward building a community-led restoration movement, complemented by on-the-ground planting using nursery stock.

The majority of the transplanted wild trees consisted of Black Poplars (Populus nigra) and various Prunus species, salvaged from local orchards where they grew spontaneously and faced removal. These were relocated to a newly established “tree hub” on the property. For the nursery-grown portion, native Mediterranean species resilient to dry climates were selected, including Juniperus oxycedrus, Robinia pseudoacacia, Laurus nobilis, Salix, and Ulmus. To adapt the More Trees Now methodology to arid conditions, the trees were secured with protective cardboard guards and mulched to maximize soil moisture retention.

Local Engagement and Partnerships The four-day event drew approximately 60 participants, primarily from the surrounding area. The initiative was executed in close partnership with local organizations, ensuring the workshops were deeply rooted in the culture, traditional knowledge, and existing ecological networks of the territory.