Ecosystem restoration in Basilicata

Positive impact generated

Context

Basilicata has lost about 150,000 hectares of forests over the last century, largely as a result of intensive farming practices. This has worsened aridity, soil erosion, landslides, loss of biodiversity, and rural depopulation.

Basilicata ranks among the European regions most severely affected by deforestation and desertification. Decades of intensive agriculture have depleted soil quality and fragmented the landscape with severe ecological and social consequences. The driest zones are now classified as highly vulnerable under the Italian SPI index. Beyond environmental degradation, the region is also facing unemployment, poverty, and rural depopulation. Against this backdrop, Magnus Lucus was launched to counter these challenges through reforestation with native species, improved water management, biodiversity recovery, and the adoption of regenerative farming practices

Gallery

Riforestazione Italia Alberi Frutto La Fiorita 1 3x

Riforestazione Italia Alberi Frutto La Fiorita 2 3x

Riforestazione Italia Alberi Frutto La Fiorita 3 3x

Riforestazione Italia Alberi Frutto La Fiorita 4 3x

Riforestazione Italia Alberi Frutto La Fiorita 5 3x

Stakeholders and local partners

Who are the key stakeholders?

The project - Magnus Lucus - is led by APS Rocciaviva together with a network of local and international partners and with the support of communities and landowners. Since 2019, the initiative has planted 12,000 native and fruit trees, donated 2,000 additional trees, restored 7 hectares of degraded land and a lake, and organized more than 60 planting events. As a result, several landowners have granted multi-decade stewardship agreements, while others have joined the association as active members. In 2023, Rocciaviva acquired 4 hectares in Oppido Lucano, the future site of the Magnus Lucus Research and Training Center, which will feature open-air laboratories, nurseries, water collection systems, and facilities for wildlife conservation. The project is supported by an expanding network of stakeholders, from rural communities to academic institutions, with the ambition to regenerate up to 300 hectares of the basin.

Project Developer:

Objectives and approach

The goal is to restore up to 20% of Basilicata’s original forest cover, reversing desertification and degradation, and creating an integrated model of ecological, social, and economic development.

Magnus Lucus is built around three core objectives. An ecological restoration objective: to restore ecosystems through reforestation, water management, and biodiversity protection. A social impact objective: to employ regenerative farming to strengthen community bonds and promote environmental education. An economic growth objective: to drive local economic growth by creating jobs and developing sustainable tourism in rural areas. In the long term, the project aims to create a Basilicata that is more verdant, resilient, and productive.

Magnus Lucus employs a holistic approach combining ecological planning, community engagement, and scientific research. Each area is managed through targeted interventions: planting native species, enriching the soil, installing water infrastructure, and monitoring via drones and observation towers. The regenerated spaces serve as open-air laboratories and training centers for students, local authorities, and volunteers. Through long-term trust agreements with landowners and the acquisition of new lands, Magnus Lucus gradually expands its scope, transforming degraded areas into a ‘green wall’ that strengthens both environmental resilience and social cohesion.