ALLIEVI DOUHET VISIT THE STATE FORESTRY CORPS

On Monday 21st March, the students of the Air Force Military School visited the Vallombrosa Biogenetic Nature Reserve in the province of Florence.
The objectives of the visit were to familiarise the trainees with the institutional duties of the State Forestry Corps, with particular reference to the surveillance of Protected Natural Areas and the management of State Nature Reserves, such as that of Vallombrosa, which represents one of the most important natural resources of the territory. Located on the slopes of Pratomagno, in the municipality of Reggello, the Vallombrosa forest is shaped like an irregular pentagon and covers the entire slope between altitudes of 530 and 1350 metres, covering an area of 1,270 hectares covered by forest formations of silver fir, numerous plots of exotic species, and mixed beech and fir woods.
Further investigations have been carried out into other activities of considerable institutional relevance, such as the conservation of animal and plant biodiversity, and widespread territorial monitoring activities to prevent and suppress the illegal trafficking of endangered animal and plant species.
Under the expert guidance of officers from the Forestry Corps, the trainees took part in an ‘orienteering’ exercise. Divided into small groups, they ventured onto the trails of the dense surrounding woodland, using compasses and topographical maps of the area. This activity, part of the ‘Keys to the City’ initiative programme, promoted by the Florence Municipality's education department and which the School joined, proved to be extremely educational both theoretically and practically. It allowed the trainees to understand the commitment of the State Forestry Corps to safeguarding the nation's natural and woodland heritage, and to spend a day in contact with the untouched nature of one of Tuscany's most famous and fascinating parks.