In addition to activities related to forest management and research, as the “Sugherete del Golfo” forestry consortium, we are also committed to promoting initiatives aimed at supporting, enhancing, and raising awareness of the importance of the cork oak in our region.
We began by trying to understand the current perception that the local population has of this resource. With the support of the University of Naples Federico II, we conducted a survey to analyze the socio-economic impact that could result from a potential restoration of the cork supply chain and from increased active management of the territory.
To raise awareness and engage citizens with this issue, we are working on multiple fronts:
- Information: Through the organization of conferences involving technicians, officials, researchers, entrepreneurs, journalists, politicians, and professionals in the forestry sector—especially those involved with cork—we aim to increase knowledge about this resource and to encourage a constructive dialogue for its shared enhancement. But that’s not all. We also organize guided educational hikes, local community events focused on cork oak woodlands, photography and art contests, and the production of a documentary with a socio-scientific angle, featuring interviews with local residents sharing memories of past cork-related activities and with forestry professionals responsible for current management efforts.
- Education: By organizing events in local schools at all levels, we tailor our activities according to the age group—using playful, educational approaches for younger children and more discussion-based sessions with older students—in order to best engage the youth of our region.
- Communication: Through the involvement of like-minded local associations in the above activities, we aim to build meaningful connections that support both our development and that of the broader community. At the same time, we actively use social media to share content related to our initiatives, activities, and results.
Progetto finanziato dal programma Horizon Europe Funding