Beyond Planting Trees: Growing from Reforestation to Holistic Landscape Restoration

Eden: People+Planet has been at the forefront of the environmental restoration movement for nearly two decades, evolving from our initial focus of planting trees and reforestation efforts to implementing a more holistic landscape restoration strategy focused on long-term impact. Our approach gets to the heart of the issue; addressing the drivers of environmental degradation on multiple fronts, allowing us to break the cycle and create a lasting positive impact for people and the planet.

Understanding the Role of Reforestation in Landscape Restoration

Reforestation is the process of replanting trees in degraded forests or on lands where forests have been cut down. While it is an essential step in the process to restore the environment, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution to addressing the complex and multifaceted drivers of degradation. At Eden, tree planting and reforestation are foundational elements of our much larger landscape restoration strategy, helping combat climate change and providing economic and ecological benefits.

Our Holistic Approach to Restoration

Eden's approach to restoration goes beyond traditional reforestation methodologies by incorporating seedling production, diverse species planting, assisted natural regeneration, agroforestry, and erosion control. By partnering closely with local communities, governments, and organizations, we tailor our landscape restoration projects to meet each area's specific ecological and socioeconomic needs. This collaborative effort not only preserves biodiversity by utilizing high-quality indigenous species but also significantly enhances the well-being and living conditions of local communities.

Our restoration initiatives also include:

• Integrating Restoration with Land Use Plans. We balance ecological needs with community development, enhancing climate resilience and promoting socioeconomic stability through sustainable livelihood initiatives.

• Promoting Forest Connectivity through Reforestation. We focus on increasing forest areas and improving soil health while addressing the root causes of deforestation and land degradation, such as unsustainable agricultural practices.

• Engaging Communities and Stakeholders in Restoration. We work hand-in-hand with local stakeholders, ensuring that all involved parties actively contribute to and benefit from our project activities, such as agroforestry programs, which enhance food security and economic stability while facilitating agricultural knowledge sharing.

• Conserving Biodiversity and Monitoring Ecosystems. Our projects protect areas rich in biodiversity and expand wildlife corridors. Our efforts include actively monitoring and managing ecological threats to maintain a balanced ecosystem.

• Managing Water Resources through Reforestation. By safeguarding and restoring key water recharge zones and collaborating with community water boards, we develop water management strategies that ensure these vital resources' long-term sustainability and resilience.

Reforestation was just the beginning. Through our holistic landscape restoration efforts, we are fostering healthy, resilient relationships between people and the landscapes upon which we all depend.