On 27 October 2018, the Abruzzo Region signed an agreement with the MMFN to identify a first pilot area in which to implement the principles of the Model Forest. Fifteen municipalities in the Media Valle dell'Aterno (L'Aquila, Abruzzo - Italy) have joined.

Media Valle dell'Aterno is an area of ​​about 30 thousand hectares, of which a large part insists within the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park. Work groups divided by thematic groups (forest management, agriculture, tourism, associations/culture) gathered ideas and needs to be included in the strategic plan to be approved by the assembly of the “valley associations” which has been recorded in October 2021 as “Associazione Foresta Modello Valle Aterno – FMVA.

The project was promoted by the "Torre del Cornone - ILEX" Environmental Education Center in Fontecchio (L'Aquila, Abruzzo - Italy) as part of the wider Mediterranean Mosaics program, financed by the Swiss Mava Foundation and implemented in collaboration with the Italian Bird Protection League (Lipu ) and Al-Shouf Cedar Society (ACS - Lebanon). More info on www.mediterraneanmosaics.org

FMVA has just elected its firs board and its president and is involved – as promoter or partner – in two projects both of them funded by the Italian government: the first deal with a best practices exchanges with the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (Lebanon), while the second regards a forest planning & mapping process, also including awareness actions and forest owners association start up.

The idea of  a "Model Forest" in the Middle Valley of the Aterno was born  to connect and make the small villages and the many active people and institutions of this large territory that so far have acted mainly on their own.

The depopulation has reduced local communities to a minimum and has made it necessary to connect the most dynamic components in every way to manage, conserve and promote the territory as a whole.

The association involves 15 municipalities plus associations, NPOs, SMEs, private citizens.

There are five work commissions to promote and organize all the activities: Forest and Landscape, Culture and Associations, Tourism, Agriculture, International Relations.

FMVA has been working on a number of projects thanks to public and private funds.

To name a few:

• a forest management plan;
• “passeggiate patrimoniali”, a hiking program to get to know both the landscape and the actors who live and work in the FMVA area;
• relationships with Ministero Agricoltura Sovranità Alimentare e Foreste, Regione Abruzzo, University of L’Aquila, GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute, Sirente Velino Regional Park, Slow Food, Action Aid;
• ASMED International Program;
• FORTABIO program, a research to evaluate the effect of targeted and specific thinning of plant cover on the productivity and spread of truffle;