Ecosystem restoration: practical steps you can use today

Restoring damaged land isn't just for scientists. It can boost food, reduce floods, create jobs and store carbon. The Bonn Challenge aims to restore 350 million hectares by 2030 — a big target, but you can start small and get real results.

Start with simple, effective actions

Begin by protecting what’s left. Fencing off patches of natural regrowth and stopping grazing for a season often brings trees back faster than planting. Try Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR): prune stumps and protect shoots. It’s cheap, low-tech, and widely used across the Sahel and East Africa.

Use small earthworks to hold water. Contour bunds, half-moons and micro-basins slow runoff, let rain soak in, and help seedlings survive the first dry season. Combine those with mulching and shallow planting pits to improve soil moisture quickly.

Plan, pick the right methods, and involve people

Don’t plant exotic monocultures. Choose native species that match local soils and water. Mix trees, shrubs and grasses to build resilient habitats and support wildlife. Agroforestry is a win-win: farmers get shade, fodder or fruit while the land regains structure and carbon.

Map the site before you act. A simple baseline survey — photos, a few soil checks, and a short land-use history from locals — tells you where to focus. Set clear goals: is this about erosion control, timber, biodiversity, or livelihoods? Different goals need different actions.

Bring communities in from day one. Secure land tenure or agreed rules so people invest time and protect young plants. Train local youth as nursery workers and caretakers — jobs make projects stick.

Think about water and timing. Plant at the start of the rainy season and use species that tolerate dry spells. Restore riparian buffers along streams to reduce sediment, improve water quality and lower flood risks downstream.

Monitor progress simply. Use before-and-after photos, a few survival counts, and free satellite tools (NDVI maps) to track greening. Regular checks help you adapt: if survival is low, change species mix or watering strategy.

Find realistic funding. Blend small public funds, donor grants, and private money like carbon projects or payment for ecosystem services. Small local fees or nursery sales can cover recurring costs and keep communities motivated.

Avoid common mistakes: planting the wrong species, ignoring grazing pressure, or running projects without local buy-in. These errors waste time and money and can harm local livelihoods.

Want a quick starter plan? Protect a one-hectare pilot, use FMNR and a 30% native tree cover target, add simple water-harvesting, train two local caretakers, and measure survival at 6 and 12 months. That gives proof you can scale.

Restoration works when it’s practical, local and steady. You don’t need big budgets to begin — just one well-planned patch, the right people, and tools that hold water and protect young plants.