Traditional terracing in Veneto, Italy
Year of issue
2025
Summary
The initiative is aimed at the recovering and maintenance of a cultural and historical heritage with the promotion of new agricultural activities (not necessarily for economic purposes). A large part of terraces are no longer used today, as landowners either emigrated or are too old to take care of them. As a consequence, these terraces are increasingly degraded. The Committee "Adotta un terrazzamento" (Adopt a Terrace) acts as a mediator among landowners and people interested in "adopting" a terrace": with a contribution of 10 euros, any private citizen can be assigned a terraced plot to establish a vegetable garden. In exchange, the private citizen commits to restore and take care of the terrace at his/her disposal. The recovery of the terraces permits the valorization of the local resources, combining social/economic aims with the need to safeguard infrastructures that prevent hydro-geological instability.
Photo Gallery
Location
45.520801, 11.394828
Project
NWRM
National ID
Italy_04
Sector
Agriculture
Installation Date
2010
Implementation status
Ongoing
Contact
Gloria De Paoli, ACTeon
Overview
Location of the project
The case study is located in the Val Verta area of the Brenta Valley, in the municipality of Valstagna (now part of Valbrenta), Veneto region, Italy. The terraces are mainly on the slopes above the Brenta River, accessible from the SS47 “Valsugana” state road.
Country
Italy
NUTS2 Code
Veneto
Sponge measures implemented in the case study
Traditional terracing
Objectives
Recover and maintain abandoned traditional terraces (masiere) in the Val Verta area of the Brenta Valley, preserving their cultural, historical, and landscape value.
Prevent hydro-geological instability by restoring dry-stone walls and cultivated plots.
Promote new (not necessarily commercial) agricultural activities, often as vegetable gardens, by engaging citizens through the “adopt a terrace” scheme.
Create a mediation platform between absentee/elderly landowners and volunteers willing to restore and cultivate plots.
Encourage community involvement, environmental education, and intergenerational transmission of dry-stone walling skills.
Prevent hydro-geological instability by restoring dry-stone walls and cultivated plots.
Promote new (not necessarily commercial) agricultural activities, often as vegetable gardens, by engaging citizens through the “adopt a terrace” scheme.
Create a mediation platform between absentee/elderly landowners and volunteers willing to restore and cultivate plots.
Encourage community involvement, environmental education, and intergenerational transmission of dry-stone walling skills.
Involved partners
| Authority type | Authority name | Authority role | Comments | Authority responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGO | Committee "Adotta un Terrazzamento" | Implementation | The Committee is responsible for mediating between landowners and private citizens interested in "adopting" a terraces plot. Thus the Committee manages the project and assigns the plot to users | — |
| Local water authority | Municipality of Valstagna | Implementation | Municipality | Responsible |
| Research institute / University | University of Padua | Implementation | Initial project partner Concept development, technical advice during early stages, involvement in heritage and environmental studies. | Responsible |
| NGO | Italian Alpine Club -"Highlands" Research Group | Implementation | No-profit association | — |
| Local water authority | Solagna, Campolongo, S. Nazario, Cismon del Grappa municipalities | Other | Municipalities. Institutional support, local coordination, promotion, and facilitation of agreements with landowners. | Supporting |
| Other | Veneto Region | Financing | Regional administration | Supporting |
Site Information
Climate Zone
Cool temperate moist
Precipitation
1400.00 mm
Temperature (°C)
9.00 °C
Elevation range
139
Slope range
5-10% Terraces are located on steep valley slopes
Vegetation class
Terraces host a mix of cultivated plots (vegetable gardens, saffron, berries, tobacco) and areas with spontaneous vegetation typical of abandoned terraces, including grasses and herbaceous plants.
WFD Ecological status
Moderate
WFD Chemical status
Failing to achieve good
Design and Implementation
Project scale
Micro
Project scale specifications
The initiative is implemented on specific terraced slopes in the Val Verta area of the Brenta Valley (municipality of Valbrenta, Veneto, Italy). It focuses on the restoration and maintenance of individual terrace plots and their dry-stone walls, involving local volunteers and adopters. The actions are localised, targeting discrete sites rather than the entire valley or catchment.
Between 2010 and 2017, more than 1,000 terraces covering about 5 ha were recovered.
Between 2010 and 2017, more than 1,000 terraces covering about 5 ha were recovered.
Project area
5 ha
Basis of design
annual precipitations
Constraints
Information not available
Favourable preconditions
Information not available
Financing
Total cost information
No information on costs is available; however, costs are likely to be purely administrative and linked to the activities of the Committee, due to the particular nature of the initiative. the initiative is aimed at the recovering and maintenance of a cultural and historical heritage with the promotion of new agricultural activities (not necessarily for economic purposes). A large part of terraces are no longer used today, as landowners either emigrated or are too old to take care of them. As a consequences, these terraces are increasingly degraded. The Committee "Adotta un terrazzamento" act as a mediator among landowners and people interested in "adopting a terrace": with a contribution of 10 euros, any private citizen can be assigned a terraced plot to establish a vegetable garden. In exchange, the private citizen committs to restore and take care of the terrace at his/her disposal.
Policy and Governance
Policy description
The restoring of traditional terraces (built around the XVII century) is aimed at the maintenance of the terraces, the prevention of landslides and the provision of cultivable land.
Land ownership
The terraces are privately owned, often by families whose members have emigrated or are elderly and no longer able to maintain the land.
Policy targets
Oher Societal Benefits
Erosion Control
Increase Water Storage
Part of a wider plan
Oui
Wider plan
| Name |
|---|
| AlpTer Project, EU programme Interreg Alpine Space |
Public consultation
Non
Has contractual arrangements
Oui
Contractual arrangements
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Free "loan of use" contracts | he initiative is aimed at the recovering and maintenance of a cultural and historical heritage with the promotion of new agricultural activities (not necessarily for economic purposes). A large part of terraces are no longer used today, as landowners either emigrated or are too old to take care of them. As a consequences, these terraces are increasingly degraded. The Committee "Adotta un terrazzamento" act as a mediator among landowners and people interested in "adopting" a terrace": with a contribution of 10 euros, any private citizen can be assigned a terraced plot to establish a vegetable garden. In exchange, the private citizen committs to restore and take care of the terrace at his/her disposal. |
Impacts and Monitoring
Monitoring System
Monitoring requirements
No formal environmental monitoring; only informal visual checks by the association.
Monitoring parameters
Monitoring is limited to qualitative, non-instrumental observations. Parameters include the stability and integrity of dry-stone walls, the presence of vegetation that may damage structures, signs of erosion or collapse, and the general state of cultivated plots. No data are available on hydrological parameters such as runoff, infiltration, soil moisture, or water quality. Monitoring is primarily aimed at ensuring the safety and usability of the terraces rather than collecting environmental metrics.
Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
Dry-stone walls and cultivated plots are maintained by volunteers and terrace adopters through regular upkeep and restoration activities.
Impact Assessment Methodology
Performance impact assessment method
Edge of Field/Plot
Performance impact estimation information
The terraced slopes were compared with non terraced areas of a neighboring area. The evaluation was done through soil evaluation (under phisic and chemical aspects) and Thornthwaite-Mather model for the rendering of the potential/effective evapotraspiration compared to the annual precipitation. the results of the evaluations testify that in terraced areas the soil has better agronomic potential and a greater water retention capacity.
Socio-economic Impacts
Direct benefits
The project has reactivated agricultural use of abandoned terraces, enabling small-scale production of saffron, tobacco, berries, honey, and vegetables. Some local producers (e.g. Il Nostrano del Brenta, I Barchi, Lapisterra) now operate on restored terraces, creating niche products with potential added value for the local economy.
Organisation of cultural events (concerts, exhibitions, Land Art trail Coltiva l’Arte), guided walks, and documentary screenings attracts visitors and promotes the Brenta Valley as a heritage landscape.
Strengthens community identity and visibility of the area’s cultural landscape.
The “adopt a terrace” scheme fosters long-term relationships between local landowners, adopters from outside the valley, and volunteers.
Encourages intergenerational and intercultural exchanges through joint maintenance activities and events.
Organisation of cultural events (concerts, exhibitions, Land Art trail Coltiva l’Arte), guided walks, and documentary screenings attracts visitors and promotes the Brenta Valley as a heritage landscape.
Strengthens community identity and visibility of the area’s cultural landscape.
The “adopt a terrace” scheme fosters long-term relationships between local landowners, adopters from outside the valley, and volunteers.
Encourages intergenerational and intercultural exchanges through joint maintenance activities and events.
Biophysical impacts: Hydrology
Increased water storage
50.00
Increased water storage unit
% Percent
Biophysical impacts: Biodiversity
Improved biodiversity
Oui
Information on improved biodiversity
Restoration has allowed the reintroduction or continuation of small-scale, diverse cropping systems (vegetables, saffron, berries, tobacco), maintaining a mosaic landscape. Areas of spontaneous vegetation on unused terraces provide habitat for grassland and ruderal species, although no systematic biodiversity survey is reported.
Biophysical impacts: Water & Soil Quality
Water quality overall improvements
N/A info
Soil quality overall improvements
Positive impact-SQ improvement
Information on soil quality overall improvements
Increase of depth available for root development, greater water retention and reduction of the stone portion.
Biophysical impacts: Others
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
No information available
Lessons Learned
Key lessons
The initiative is aimed at the recovery and maintenance of a cultural and historical heritage, alongside the promotion of new agricultural activities not necessarily for economic purposes. A large part of the terraces are no longer used today, as landowners have either emigrated or are too old to maintain them, leading to progressive degradation. The Committee Adotta un Terrazzamento acts as a mediator between landowners and people interested in “adopting” a terrace: with a symbolic contribution of 10 euros, any private citizen can be assigned a terraced plot to establish a vegetable garden, in exchange for the commitment to restore and maintain it. The recovery of the terraces allows the valorisation of local resources, combining social and economic aims with the need to safeguard infrastructures that prevent hydro-geological instability.
Experience from this project shows that strong community involvement, built on direct connections between landowners and adopters, is key to sustaining restoration over time. Symbolic, low-cost participation can be effective when it fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. Combining conservation with cultural and educational activities—such as dry-stone walling workshops, art trails, and guided walks—helps maintain long-term public interest and integrates heritage into everyday life. Finally, while qualitative benefits for erosion control and landscape stability are evident, the absence of formal environmental monitoring highlights the importance of integrating scientific assessment into similar initiatives from the outset.
Experience from this project shows that strong community involvement, built on direct connections between landowners and adopters, is key to sustaining restoration over time. Symbolic, low-cost participation can be effective when it fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. Combining conservation with cultural and educational activities—such as dry-stone walling workshops, art trails, and guided walks—helps maintain long-term public interest and integrates heritage into everyday life. Finally, while qualitative benefits for erosion control and landscape stability are evident, the absence of formal environmental monitoring highlights the importance of integrating scientific assessment into similar initiatives from the outset.
Drivers
| Driver type | Driver role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Main driver | The initiative is aimed at the recovering and maintenance of a cultural and historical heritage with the promotion of new agricultural activities (not necessarily for economic purposes). A large part of terraces are no longer used today, as landowners either emigrated or are too old to take care of them. As a consequences, these terraces are increasingly degraded |
Success factors
| Success factor type | Success factor role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Attitude of relevant stakeholders | Main factor | Strong community engagement through the “adopt a terrace” scheme involving locals, absentee landowners, and volunteers. |
| Financing possibilities | Main factor | Simple, symbolic participation model (€10/year) fostering responsibility and accessibility. |
| Public participation | Secondary factor | Integration of cultural and educational activities that keep the project visible and engaging. |
| Existing staff and consultant knowledge | Secondary factor | Skills preservation and transfer via dry-stone walling training and traditional land management. |