Our company was born as a spin-off of the University of Padua in the Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry. Lucio Brotto, Diego Florian, Alessandro Leonardi, Mauro Masiero, Davide Pettenella and Laura Secco chose to call it Etifor: a name that combines the words “Etica” (ethics) and “Forestale” (forestry), crucial elements of our identity.

In the following years, we deepened the connections between the academic world – where we come from – and the market, always guided by our passion for nature.

The PhDs of Alessandro, Lucio, Mauro and Diego – led by professors Laura and Davide – allowed us to consolidate our scientific skills and to weave a network of high-profile international relationships.

After storm Vaia, which damaged 42,800 hectares of forest at the end of 2018, we felt the need to broaden our commitment. We wanted to offer support to forest managers in difficulty and, at the same time, try to give back to the North-East and the whole country the green lung it had lost.

So we launched WOWnature: the initiative that allows citizens, organisations and companies to grow new forests and protect existing ones in full compliance with the strictest standards of responsible forest management. A model that we had already experimented with Bosco Limite: Etifor’s first multifunctional forest was born thanks to the involvement of residents who decided to adopt and plant trees.

Over the years, we have expanded our services and skills with the intention of generating more positive impacts on the world and people. As a result, we decided to organise ourselves into six teams specialised in as many areas of expertise to best meet the needs of our partners, from public authorities to private companies: governance for nature, tourism, nature positive, forest restoration and management, WOWnature and supply chains.

We became a benefit company, committing – right from our corporate purpose – to working responsibly and transparently towards people, communities, territories and the environment. 

In the same year, we also obtained the international B Corp certification, which rewards companies that demonstrate social and environmental impacts that contribute to an inclusive, equitable and regenerative global economy.

We have always believed that the respect and well-being of people are essential elements of a good company. This is why Etifor has adopted a participatory company organisation that allows everyone to feel an active part. It is precisely from a participatory process that the need was born to put our corporate culture in a manifesto: a compass that shows us where we want to go daily, holding firm to our values.