Landscape Rehabilitation

We work with people and landscapes: from drylands to wetter tropics, we engage to reverse the degradation trend. The approach is simple, yet effective.

In each landscape we initiate a shift that contains elements of regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, water buffering (3R) and micro-climate management. Carefully crafted with people to fit the context. No roller-compacted concrete or expensive designs, but many small structures that spread benefits across communities and their environment.

Farm protection using FMNR, Fanya juu and Fanya Chini in Dodoma, Tanzania (December 2020)

Water Buffering

With water buffering we aim at maximising the storage of water in the landscape. Even in arid and semi-arid areas, there are some seasonal showers, that too often create damage rather than relief.

Yet, this period of excess is followed by prolonged dry periods. Water buffering balances the situation by making sure that water is available for a longer period of time. Water is stored in the soil as soil moisture, in shallow aquifers or in small reservoirs (water harvesting tanks and ponds).

Richer soils, richer farming

Landscape restoration controls soil loss and improves soil moisture. Moist soils sustain soil life and nutrients cycling. Regenerative farming practices reinforce the process and enable a more sustained (and sustainable) crop production.

Better farming practices and soil water management are the two faces of the same coin: A healthier soil helps keeping the soil moist for longer. Better soil moisture also increases soil fertility, for instance because natural nitrogen fixation is strengthened.

On top of this there are several interventions that improve the ability of the soil to absorb and retain rain and flood water: from measures to stimulate rain worms ad sow bugs and other animals to overturn the earth to the use of bio-fertilizer, bio-char or zeolite to soil water holding capacity.

Regenerating tree using Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, in Dodoma, Tanzania (December 2020)

Regreening power

Regreening is part and parcel of landscape water buffering. It can be done by managed revegetation – letting wild trees regrow in a controlled manner – or by agroforestry on farm land.

Regreening brings vast grassroots opportunities: from cash crop trees, to sustainable firewood sourcing, to higher biodiversity, diverse forage and other product. Trees on the farm or in the landscape also influence the growing conditions on the farm: by sheltering vulnerable crops and reducing wind speed. Trees influence the local microclimate at farm and landscape level.

Managing the micro-climate

Microclimates are the important local interplays between factors such as soil temperature, air temperature, wind directions, soil moisture and air humidity – affected by day-night effects and seasonal effects.

They are determined by the particular landscape, soil conditions, vegetation, land use and water retention. They determine germination, vegetative growth and exposure to stress. Managing the microclimate by landscape rehabilitation and regreening can cool down soil and air and compensate for the temperature rise that comes with climate change.

What we do:

It is ten years that we engage in direct implementation, technical advice, monitoring and evaluation in projects with a landscape scale.

We work with communities and farmers, pastoralists, trees, earth, satellites and drones. We bring together people, technologies and a vision to regreen the planet. What we do:

Assessments of landscapes and micro-climate and developing landscape improvement plans
Maintaining a repository of good practices and new techniques
Support programs through local partners
Training and guided learning
Monitoring through user surveys and remote sensing