Restoring forests globally, for one common goal

Situated in a global biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, the Atlantic Forest biome is one of the most critical biodiversity conservation hotspots in the world. The Abrolhos land and seascape is a global forest restoration priority area due to the optimization of carbon sequestration potential, biodiversity gains and lower risks of fires, and will be the first large-scale restoration effort to maximize climate, biodiversity and community benefits. This project will play an instrumental role in connecting protected areas, where most of the remaining forest remnants lie.

Protecting and restoring the Amazon and the Atlantic forests in Brazil will not only have an enormous impact on climate but will also help to safeguard the greatest biodiversity and freshwater reserves on Earth.

The Amazon has already lost almost 20% of its original forest cover. The Atlantic forest, a biodiversity hotspot, has lost more than 80% of its cover since European colonization. Scientists warn that if deforestation continues, the region can cross a tipping point, resulting in harsh climate impacts across the area and entire country.

In both biomes, forest restoration represents a new and green paradigm of development. Beyond benefitting the climate and environment, forest restoration efforts will engage and directly benefit local communities and promote a local sustainable economy through the restoration chain. To achieve this, various methods will be adapted to different regions and realities with an aim to maximize carbon sequestration, biodiversity and social benefits.

In the Amazon biome, the project will take place in four regions:

1. Private lands in the Xingu River basin in central Amazon (Mato Grosso and Pará states): originally covered by dense and open ombrophilous forests, this region was extensively deforested for agricultural purpose. The restoration efforts will take place in riparian areas to protect the Xingu River and the people who rely on this river.
2. Rural settlements in the Endemism Center of Belém in the eastern Amazon (Maranhão state): originally covered by dense ombrophilous forests, this region was extensively deforested for cattle ranching. The restoration efforts will take place in legal reserves, a proportion of land that must have forest cover.
3. Protected area of the Madeira River basin (Rondônia state): originally covered by open ombrophilous forests.
4. Protected area in the Atlantic forest biome (Bahia state): originally covered by dense ombrophilous forests. In the above biomes, forests are mostly evergreen tropical forest.

Restore 2,000,000 trees, sequester 40,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 1,054 hectares of land.

Tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

Direct seeding: the active dispersal of seeds (preferably ecologically diverse, native seed mixes) that will allow for natural regeneration to occur, provided the area is protected from disturbances. This is a differentiated category from planting young trees.

Assisted natural regeneration: the exclusion of threats (i.e. grazing, fire, invasive plants) that had previously prevented the natural regrowth of a forested area from seeds already present in the soil, or from natural seed dispersal from nearby trees. This does not include any active tree planting.

Applied nucleation: a form of enrichment planting where trees are planted in groups, clusters or even rows, dispersed throughout an area, to encourage natural regeneration in the matrix between the non-planted areas.

Agroforestry: the intentional mixing and cultivation of woody perennial species (trees, shrubs, bamboos) alongside agricultural crops in a way that improves the agricultural productivity and ecological function of a site.

Silvopasture: the intentional mixing and cultivation of woody perennial species (trees, shrubs, bamboos) on pasture land where tree cover was absent in a way that improves the agricultural productivity and ecological function of a site for continued use as pasture.

More than 150 native tree species and at least 17 native species of sociocultural value for non-timber forest products, including:

• Ipe (Handroanthus serratifolius)
• Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense)
• Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflora)
• Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril)
• Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora)
• Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta represents the majority of all the biomes of Colombia and is characterized with high diversity and endemism with several irreplaceable ecosystems. Conservation International, in a joint effort with Indigenous communities, will restore 1,000 hectares that have suffered a strong colonization process with extensive livestock farming, resulting in deforestation and land degradation. The aim is to enhance adaptation and resilience to climate change, restore critical ecosystems to a variety of species of fauna and flora, and reduce forest fragmentation by gradually reestablishing environmental conditions of forest remnants and alterations in biological interactions. The project also aims to reduce the loss of tree species, ecosystem functional types and landscape hectares.

The Sierra Nevada, Colombia, site is home to one of many projects across six continents.

Restore 3,207,000 trees, sequester 64,140 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 2,850 hectares of land.

Tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

Enrichment planting: the strategic reestablishment of key tree species in a forest that is ecologically degraded due to lack of certain species, without which the forest is unable to naturally sustain itself.

Over 113 species including:

Through their Priceless Planet Coalition project they are a step closer to achieving that goal, as they will be restoring 360 hectares across Ecuador and Peru.

Tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

The dense forests of Guatemala seem to go on forever. After all, the country’s name means “the place of many trees” in the Nahuatl language. Forests cover 33% of the land, and Guatemala is home to the world-famous Maya Biosphere Reserve, where Indigenous communities protect and sustainably manage about 450,000 hectares of forest ecosystems.

This project is centered around the city of Cobán and will operate throughout the northern part of Guatemala within the Las Verapaces region. Geographically, the terrain is mountainous, made up of valleys, plains and steep terrain. The cooperatives in this area cover over 5,000 hectares of land and are the prime producer of many profitable crops, including coffee and cardamom, that have high market value.

The area in which the Federation of Cooperatives of the Verapaces (FEDECOVERA) operates has been degraded in recent years, and much of the land is currently dry pastureland with limited crop-growing potential. By embracing agroforestry, trees and crops will regreen the planting sites, increase crop yields and reshape the landscape for the better.

Restore 500,000 trees, sequester 10,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 670 hectares of land.

Agroforestry: the intentional mixing and cultivation of woody perennial species (trees, shrubs, bamboos) alongside agricultural crops in a way that improves the agricultural productivity and ecological function of a site.

Tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

The Oaxaca-Chiapas flagship landscape, localized in the southeast of Mexico, contains 70% of the biodiversity of North America — ranking it among the five most important regions in the world for its mega-diversity. The three landscapes (Sierra Madre, Sierra Sur and Oaxaca-Chiapas coastal landscapes) comprise 2,618,250 ha, in which 17,366 ha are identified as a restoration opportunity under the Priceless Planet Coalition™ program. This will contribute to the conservation of at least ten Protected Natural Areas and preserve fifteen priority species of animals and plants facing varying degrees of threat, through the reforestation of buffer areas and the establishment of sustainable production systems.

The Oaxaca, Mexico, site is home to one of many projects across six continents.

Restore 7,650,000 trees, sequester 153,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 12,273 hectares of land.

The highlands near Idiofa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have suffered from severe deforestation. The overexploitation of natural resources in the region has led to the severe degradation of the soil and vegetation, which has made more than 1.5 million local people vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. In total, more than 240,000 hectares of forests have been lost in the past 50 years.

The project will reinforce the fragmentated forests that protect the local rivers, including the Kasai, which marks the frontier with the large Congo Basin rainforest. The project area is characterized by a tropical and humid climate with a nine-month rainy season (from September to May), which is the best time for tree planting.

Restore 4,350,000 trees, sequester 87,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 4,350 hectares of land.

Tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

Assisted natural regeneration: the exclusion of threats (i.e., grazing, fire, invasive plants) that had previously prevented the natural regrowth of a forested area from seeds already present in the soil, or from natural seed dispersal from nearby trees. This does not include any active tree planting.

Agroforestry: the intentional mixing and cultivation of woody perennial species (trees, shrubs, bamboos) alongside agricultural crops in a way that improves the agricultural productivity and ecological function of a site.

Forest and landscape restoration is a key pillar within Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement. As such, this project will be a major contributor to Kenya’s efforts to curb its emissions and capture carbon in its forests and agroforestry landscapes.

The resulting impact on local communities will be significant. Reforesting these important catchment areas can help to store more water within the soils, regulating its release into rivers and streams. The tree roots will also bind the soil along the river buffers, helping improve water quality downstream. Food production will be improved as well. This catchment restoration will create reliable sources of water, and the planting of a mix of high-value fruit trees will create crops that can be consumed locally and sold to markets.

Located inland within Kenya’s semi-arid ecozone, the Makuli Nazaui landscape experiences severe droughts throughout the year. This leaves only two rainy seasons before which major tree planting activities can take place. Largely hilly with a mix of rocky and sandy soils, there are two larger hills/mountains where the Makuli and Nzaui forests reside (parts of which are designated as officially protected areas).

The lower lands in between the forested hills are dominated by cropland with the flattest and driest areas being used primarily for grazing livestock.

Restore 890,400 trees, sequester 17,808 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 3,545 hectares of land.

Tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

Enrichment planting: the strategic reestablishment of key tree species in a forest that is ecologically degraded due to lack of certain species, without which the forest is unable to naturally sustain itself.

Assisted natural regeneration: the exclusion of threats (i.e. grazing, fire, invasive plants) that had previously prevented the natural regrowth of a forested area from seeds already present in the soil, or from natural seed dispersal from nearby trees. This does not include any active tree planting.

Agroforestry: the intentional mixing and cultivation of woody perennial species (trees, shrubs, bamboos) alongside agricultural crops in a way that improves the agricultural productivity and ecological function of a site.

Restore 9,000,000 trees, sequester 180,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 3,000 hectares of land.

Active tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

Assisted natural regeneration: the exclusion of threats (i.e., grazing, fire, invasive plants) that had previously prevented the natural regrowth of a forested area from seeds already present in the soil or from natural seed dispersal from nearby trees.

Applied nucleation/tree islands: a form of enrichment planting where trees are planted in groups, clusters or even rows, dispersed throughout an area, to encourage natural regeneration in the matrix between the non-planted areas.

Agroforestry: the intentional mixing and cultivation of woody perennial species (trees, shrubs, bamboos) alongside agricultural crops in a way that improves the agricultural productivity and ecological function of a site.

Direct seeding: the active dispersal of seeds (preferably ecologically diverse, native seed mixes) that will allow for natural regeneration to occur, provided the area is protected from disturbances. This is a differentiated category from planting young trees.

The Mzimba District, in the Northern Region of Malawi, has not escaped the extensive deforestation that the country has endured since the turn of the century. When trees are cut down, the roots that hold soil in place go with them. Every time the heavy rains come, erosion follows and healthy soil is washed from the land, threatening food security, housing and infrastructure.

This project will have a significant impact on the local community in addition to safeguarding the soil that provides a habitat for biodiversity. In the 2020-2021 planting season alone, partner Wells for Zoë helped rural communities plant 1.7 million indigenous tree seedlings, while also directly planting around 1.5 million seeds. Founded in 2005, the organization has also been a long-standing advocate and ally for women’s empowerment in the region, offering financial and academic support for girl students attending the local Enyezini Secondary School.

Through this project, a community nursery will be set up on school grounds, and local women will be the biggest beneficiaries of the revenue created from gathering and selling forest products like fruits, mushrooms and traditional medicines. With the Malawian government taking a strong stance on deforestation — in 2017 it became one of the first African countries to develop a National Restoration Plan — this project will be a welcome addition to the country and region’s efforts to combat environmental degradation.

Enyezini is in the Northern Region district of Mzimba. Its characteristic Miombo woodland grows on hills and rocky outcrops. The landscape features two distinct seasons: the cold and dry period, lasting from May to the end of October, and the hot and rainy period, lasting from December to April. Geographically, the area is home to Jenjewe Hill mountain, which features distinctive boulder formations at its summit. The wider landscape is a hilly terrain with widespread erosion problems. Deep gullies expand throughout the rainy season, becoming a major impediment for both livestock and people.

Restore 5,101,877 trees, sequester 95,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 2,500 hectares of land.

Tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

Assisted natural regeneration: the exclusion of threats (i.e., grazing, fire, invasive plants) that had previously prevented the natural regrowth of a forested area from seeds already present in the soil, or from natural seed dispersal from nearby trees. This does not include any active tree planting.

Riparian restoration: specific interventions in the hydrological flows and vegetative cover to improve the ecological function of a degraded wetland or riparian area.

Indigenous forest trees:

Emirates Nature, in association with WWF, aims to regenerate mangrove ecosystems through the Priceless Planet Coalition implemented by Mastercard in collaboration with Conservation International and the World Resources Institute. The project’s goal is to restore approximately 10 hectares of mangrove and associated coastal ecosystems in the Northern Emirates over the next two to six years.

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems — such as mangroves — can help reduce the risks and impacts of climate change while providing multiple co-benefits: they offer critical habitats for biodiversity, enhance local fisheries production and protect coastal communities from erosion and storms. Yet mangroves face many threats, including deforestation, coastal development, pollution and climate change.

Coastal seascape, encompassing a variety of habitats, including mangroves, seagrass and mudflats.

Restore 50,000 trees, sequester 1,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 10 hectares of land.

Tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

Assisted natural regeneration: the exclusion of threats (i.e., grazing, fire, invasive plants) that had previously prevented the natural regrowth of a forested area from seeds already present in the soil, or from natural seed dispersal from nearby trees. This does not include any active tree planting.

Mangrove tree restoration: specific interventions in the hydrological flows and/or vegetative cover to create or enhance the ecological function of a degraded mangrove tree site.

The most common and dominant mangrove species in the UAE is the gray or white mangrove (Avicennia marina).

In 2021, British Columbia experienced some of its worst natural disasters in recorded history. The Lytton Creek wildfire made headlines throughout the world after record-breaking heat and a spark resulted in a fire that destroyed the town of Lytton in minutes. This fire spread east and burned an extensive portion of the Nicola Valley watershed. Near the fire’s southern boundary, it spread across the Nicola Valley and burned almost the entire western half of the Nicola watershed, where several Indigenous communities live.

This reforestation site is located within the 2021 Lytton Creek wildfire affected area that burned at a high severity, killing nearly 100% of the trees. This area is located within the Nicola Valley, a sub-watershed of the Thompson River in British Columbia.

Restore 400,000 trees, sequester 8,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 282 hectares of land.

Active tree planting: the planting of native tree seedlings in a forest fire affected area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

These species are native to the region and will be strategically planted to restore the forest habitat that was destroyed by the 2021 Lytton Creek wildfire. They have the capacity to thrive in the site’s dry forest type and will provide critical ecological functions for regional wildlife.

Conservation International is partnering with Green Forests Work (GFW) to restore degraded mine sites in Appalachia, with an aim to create jobs and revitalize the environment and economy in counties impacted by the decline in the coal industry. GFW will restore a former coal mine by planting a declining forest type (i.e., shortleaf pine-upland oak woodland) that will help to improve air and water quality, enhance forest resiliency, mitigate climate change through increased carbon accumulation, provide multi-seasonal pollen and nectar sources for pollinators and make the sites more productive for wildlife.

Restore 100,000 trees, sequester 2,000 tonnes of CO₂* and restore 60 hectares of land.

Active tree planting: the planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

The project area will be replanted to shortleaf pine-upland oak forests typical of eastern Kentucky and the Cumberland Plateau.