Il BIORIFUGIO - REWILDING A COSTA DIGIANO
The BIOREFUGE is Costa Digiano's REWILDING project.
The heart of our vision is not just organic farming — but land restoration.
Our story began in 2011, when we bought five hectares of land that became Costa Digiano. Parts of the farm had been farmed intensively, the soil was depleted and biodiversity was low. Our dream was to create a small organic farm that would also serve the land itself by restoring biodiversity and creating habitat.
Our first step was to restore the soil by planting cover crops to heal the soil from chemical residues and rebuild the humus layer.
After 5 years of restoration work we planted our small vineyard on this parcel and then we began rewilding parts of our five hectares, especially on the west side of the vineyard, planting trees grown from seed and native species to create a forest for pollinators, birds, and wildlife.
The heart of our vision is not just organic farming — but land restoration.
Our story began in 2011, when we bought five hectares of land that became Costa Digiano. Parts of the farm had been farmed intensively, the soil was depleted and biodiversity was low. Our dream was to create a small organic farm that would also serve the land itself by restoring biodiversity and creating habitat.
Our first step was to restore the soil by planting cover crops to heal the soil from chemical residues and rebuild the humus layer.
After 5 years of restoration work we planted our small vineyard on this parcel and then we began rewilding parts of our five hectares, especially on the west side of the vineyard, planting trees grown from seed and native species to create a forest for pollinators, birds, and wildlife.
BEFORE |
AFTER |
Now, we are currently in the process of trying to purchase the land directly connected to our rewilding area, a 1 hectare parcel currently under conventional agriculture, largely cultivated with chemically intensive crops like wheat.
If we are able to purchase it, it will become the core of the BioRefuge at Costa Digiano.
This parcel will allow us to expand a connected ecological zone rather than creating isolated habitat, forming a critical corridor for wildlife — including the local population of wolves — to safely move, hunt, and thrive across the landscape. This connectivity is essential for healthy predator-prey dynamics, ecosystem balance, and long-term biodiversity.
If we are able to purchase it, it will become the core of the BioRefuge at Costa Digiano.
This parcel will allow us to expand a connected ecological zone rather than creating isolated habitat, forming a critical corridor for wildlife — including the local population of wolves — to safely move, hunt, and thrive across the landscape. This connectivity is essential for healthy predator-prey dynamics, ecosystem balance, and long-term biodiversity.
CURRENT REWILDING AREA |
FUTURE REWILDING ZONE |
The land will develop in stages:
🌱 Stage 1 – Soil Recovery
The land has been under chemical-intensive cultivation. We will begin by restoring soil life and rebuilding the humus layer through natural regeneration, cover vegetation, and reduced disturbance.
🌳 Stage 2 – Native Woodland Planting
We will plant native tree and shrub species suited to this landscape, creating layered habitat (canopy, understory, ground layer) to support birds, insects, pollinators, and small mammals.
🐝 Stage 3 – Pollinator & Biodiversity Zones
Flowering areas and diverse plant communities will support bees, insects, birds, and mammals. This will link directly with our existing bee hives and forested areas, strengthening pollinator populations and overall biodiversity.
🦌 Stage 4 – Wildlife Corridor & Apex Predators
By linking this land to our existing rewilded areas, we create a safe passage for all wildlife. Wolves, as apex predators, will benefit from this corridor, helping maintain ecosystem balance, regulate prey species, and support a resilient natural community.
🌍 Long-Term Vision
Over time, this field will transition from chemically farmed land into a self-sustaining ecosystem — storing carbon, retaining water, preventing erosion, and becoming a living refuge for wildlife including pollinators, small mammals, birds, and large predators like wolves.
🌱 Stage 1 – Soil Recovery
The land has been under chemical-intensive cultivation. We will begin by restoring soil life and rebuilding the humus layer through natural regeneration, cover vegetation, and reduced disturbance.
🌳 Stage 2 – Native Woodland Planting
We will plant native tree and shrub species suited to this landscape, creating layered habitat (canopy, understory, ground layer) to support birds, insects, pollinators, and small mammals.
🐝 Stage 3 – Pollinator & Biodiversity Zones
Flowering areas and diverse plant communities will support bees, insects, birds, and mammals. This will link directly with our existing bee hives and forested areas, strengthening pollinator populations and overall biodiversity.
🦌 Stage 4 – Wildlife Corridor & Apex Predators
By linking this land to our existing rewilded areas, we create a safe passage for all wildlife. Wolves, as apex predators, will benefit from this corridor, helping maintain ecosystem balance, regulate prey species, and support a resilient natural community.
🌍 Long-Term Vision
Over time, this field will transition from chemically farmed land into a self-sustaining ecosystem — storing carbon, retaining water, preventing erosion, and becoming a living refuge for wildlife including pollinators, small mammals, birds, and large predators like wolves.
