A natural oasis supporting a Silva Aquae ecosystem

In 2022, the DS Smith Charitable Foundation helped to fund the Fondazione Patrimonio Ca’ Granda, a non-profit organisation based in Milan, Italy.

This funding contributes to establishing a natural oasis including marshes, wooded spots, bushes, wet clearings and flooded depressions. These contain a variety of microhabitats for local biodiversity to thrive within, protected from the urban environment.

The funding from the Charitable Foundation supports 2,550 square metres of a Silva Aquae ecosystem, which refers to the Silva Lupanica (a humid wood), which previously existed in the area. In January 2023, trees within the Silva Aquae area were planted, and during the Spring, the ponds will slowly begin to fill up.