Italy's Presidential Estate of Castelporziano obtains FSC certification

Italy's Presidential Estate (Tenuta Presidenziale di Castelporziano), a state-owned natural reserve and historical residence for the President of the Italian Republic located just a few kilometres from Rome, has become the first of its kind to receive FSC certification.  

The certification recognizes the responsible management of nearly 6,000 hectares of forest – one of the last remaining examples of lowland mixed forest and Mediterranean scrubland on Rome’s coast. 

As urban areas expand globally and forests face pressures from climate change, Castelporziano embodies the possibility to preserve and responsibly manage heritage forests and ecosystems at the doorstep of major cities, transforming those areas into open-air laboratories for research and experimentation. The Estate is home to over 1,000 plant species and more than 3,000 documented animal species, an outstanding diversity for a peri-urban forest in the Europe area. 

The certification followed a rigorous process. CSI S.p.A., an accredited FSC certification body, conducted an independent audit to verify the Estate’s 5,230 hectares according to FSC's environmental, social, and economic standards. The audit also proved two critical ecosystem services: biodiversity conservation and carbon stock preservation. All these unique features make Castelporziano a natural laboratory for conservation and a landmark for sustainable management practices.  

“This is an urban forest so close to Rome, and that makes its ecosystem services even more valuable. Now, with this FSC certification it becomes a beacon of sustainable forest management,” said FSC International’s Director General Subhra Bhattacharjee in a video message recorded for the certification award ceremony. 

"The FSC certification process has allowed the Estate to reconsider many internal management processes through an innovative and multidisciplinary lens," said Giulia Bonella, Director of the Castelporziano Estate. "This contextualizes Castelporziano's concrete and symbolic experience within global sustainable development strategies for future generations." 

"More than a technical recognition, this certification brings a powerful programmatic value," said Giuseppe Bonanno, Director of FSC Italy. "Far from being static, forests are constantly evolving and reflecting rapid changes underway. The Estate can become a magnificent open-air laboratory for protection and regeneration, benefiting the 2.7 million inhabitants of Rome and the surrounding area." 

FSC certification in Italy continues to grow as forest managers increasingly recognize the value of implementing responsible stewardship. Castelporziano's certification is particularly meaningful as it shows how conservation goals integrate with active management and scientific research. With FSC certification, Italy's Presidential Estate becomes a replicable model for other Mediterranean forests facing similar challenges.