Discovering a Future in Alpine Resource Management

Today we met with the Magnifica Comunita di Fiemme to learn about their role as an association to manage alpine resources in the Val di Fiemme in the Northern Italian Alps. We were provided with a basic background of the decisions made by the Magnifica Comunita di Fiemme such as sustainable logging techniques and the integration of tourism to promote the local economy.

The Magnifica Comunita di Fiemme is an example of a direct democracy applied to village communities that practices communal forestry techniques. The main objective of communal forestry is to sustainably manage the community’s common forests and pastures. This technique requires local participation in the conservation and management of common areas. Environmental resources are used efficiently to meet the needs of local people and the community; thus, problems such as the “tragedy of the commons” are greatly reduced since every member of the community is personally invested in the resource management.

The region of the Valle di Fiemme heavily relies on timber production as a source of revenue to reinvest in alpine resource management. Further, they have learned how to effectively balance the amount of timber cut each year with the rate of regrowth in the forests. Through an economic lens, I can see similarities between the communal forestry in the Northern Italian Alps and the optimization model for sustainable management which strives to: a) generate income from the production of timber and other forest products, b) promote water management and soil protection, c) enhance the environment and landscape, and d) promote recreation and tourism.

Visiting Cavelese was exactly what I had hoped for on this trip: to be exposed to the differences and similarities of cultures throughout the world and to learn from every experience. As I internalize all that I have learned about alpine resource management, I have pinpointed my passion for mountainous environments and have formulated many questions about resource management as a career. I was inspired to learn of occupations that are linked to mathematics and finance degrees, an area I hope to pursue in my future.