Arbolia, a benefit company set up to develop new green areas in Italy, has created a new urban forest of over 2.000 trees in the municipality of San Donato Milanese. This initiative was made possible thanks to the contribution of Snam.

The new green belt is located in the Monticello area, in South-East of the town, not far from the Policlinico San Donato Milanese. In the identified area, a total of 2,200 plants of different tree species have been planted (field elm, field maple, lime tree, ash, black poplar and white hornbeam) and shrubs (privet, priest's hat, viburnum, lantana, elder and hawthorn).

When fully operational, the new green area will absorb up to 302 tons of CO₂ in 20 years and up to 557 kg of PM₁₀ per year. The initiative also provides for the maintenance of the new urban forest for the first two years and then by the municipality. The project will immediately become an asset for the local community and it is essential that everyone takes care of it.

"With this initiative carried out together with Arbolia, we wanted to symbolically dedicate an urban reforestation project to all Snam people, who have always been attentive and sensitive to environmental sustainability issues, and at the same time testify our strong link with the city of San Donato Milanese, where are our roots”, commented Paola Boromei, Executive Vice President Human Resources, Organization & Pfm of Snam.

“The collaboration between the Municipality and Arbolia - adds the Mayor Andrea Checchi - is a clear example of virtuous cooperation between public and private. Thanks to the contribution of Snam and Arbolia, the Administration has decided to redraw the map of the city green, intervening in an area affected by deep urban changes. The data related to the environmental impact of the planting are the confirmation of the goodness of this operation, which will ensure particular benefit to the people of San Donato in the future”.

With this new wood, Arbolia has created fifteen green belts in Italy. In the next months the benefit society will develop initiatives in other twenty Italian municipalities, from North to South of the country.