Biodiversity

Mugello Circuit, Sustainability and Biodiversity: five bee hives inside the San Donato corner

Sustainability is synonymous of Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello. It is no coincidence that the Ferrari facility was the first in the world to obtain the prestigious 'Achievement of Excellence' award, the highest level of environmental sustainability certification issued by the International Automobile Federation FIA.

The 2024 Italian Grand Prix will feature five bee hives and paint the kerb at the Curva in yellow-black

San Donato

Creator of the program KISS Keep it Shiny and Sustainable in 2013, since then many initiatives have been added, improving the performance and content of this amazing project that includes environmental and social actions: solidarity projects, fund-raising actions for charitable associations as well as the collection of food surpluses, and education on the use of the 120 water fountains in the spectator area to reduce plastic waste.

Improving sustainability, however, is a journey that never ends. It requires continuous effort and economic investment; Mugello Circuit understands this. The next goal is to enhance and communicate the important biodiversity present throughout the 120-hectare park of the circuit.

The commitment to biodiversity is at the heart of Mugello Circuit's activities, which has carried out several interventions to protect the area. This included the planting of an additional 254 White Poplar and Black Poplar trees, which took from 2020 to 2021. The importance of these trees, especially around circuits, traces back to their three basic roles: CO₂ absorption, noise pollution reduction, and biodiversity promotion. The planting of Poplar trees, in addition to the green areas already present, further promotes CO₂ absorption, estimating a potential capture by the new trees of approximately 103,886 kg of CO₂ (103.886 tCO₂), reducing pollution (as natural barriers) and improving air quality. In fact, trees release oxygen during the process of photosynthesis, helping to keep the air healthy for all living organisms. Finally, by their presence, trees are essential for the promotion of biodiversity, providing shelter and habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species.

Mugello Circuit, in addition to caring for and protecting the flora, has committed itself over the years to activating various projects aimed at protecting the area's wildlife. As a remarkable initiative to be reported, the circuit consistently collaborates with the relevant authorities and Regione Toscana on the repopulation of roe deer. These deer must be moved periodically to various reserves found in different regions of Italy to find the perfect environment for reproduction. In fact, in March 2023, 30 roe deer were captured thanks to the intervention of the Hunting Office of Regione Toscana and were then released in the Apennines within the “Oasi Demaniale Giogo Casaglia”. To further protect the environment and preserve biodiversity, nests for migratory birds and feeders for deer have been set up.

Another notable act was the the installation of artificial nests for migratory birds in the area, helping native species during the nesting process, and in May 2024, the circuit installed 5 hives for the breeding of European Bees (Apis Mellifera) in a protected area inside the San Donato turn.

Through the involvement of a local beekeeper, the Tuscan racetrack will adopt bees as a sign of commitment to protecting the ecosystem and biodiversity. The protection of pollinating insects is of the highest importance, as they play a crucial role in pollinating a variety of crops and wild plants.

To date, more than 40% of invertebrate species, including the pollinators themselves, are facing extinction. And in Europe, bees are currently endangered, putting the land flora in crisis. These organisms are responsible for 70% of pollination, providing 35% of food production on a global scale. For this very reason, their protection is of paramount importance both economically and environmentally by providing products such as: pollen, royal jelly, propolis and wax.

Pollution and climate change are among the main causes of the decline of many living species, in particular, intensification of agriculture and land use overbuilding are two key factors in the loss of biodiversity.

In conclusion, we can say that Mugello Circuit, in addition to being one of the most beautiful in motorsport, is becoming, and perhaps already is, an example of what it means to be in the vanguard.

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