Three Projects One Mission

Epic restoration projects making a difference! Featuring WeForest , EOCA European Outdoor Conservation Association , and Wild Bird Trust

Dear ReWilder,?

At ReWild, I am always on the lookout for epic restoration projects that are set to change the world for the better. Especially when they are in our own backyard!?

Today, we are sharing three amazing projects aimed at 1) Land Restoration, 2) Assisted Natural Regeneration, and 3) Habitat Restoration. These exciting projects are examples of restoration in the current decade effectively creating real change. In this great turning point of our time, it is champions like these that are taking the climate crisis by the horns.?

Here are three projects we are excited about.

1. Rewilding the mountains in the Cape Floral Kingdom, South Africa

It is so amazing to see this global biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site being protected in our own beautiful backyard! ??

EOCA European Outdoor Conservation Association & Wild Restoration have a project conserving and restoring the Cape Floral Kingdom in the mountains of the Greyton Nature Reserve.

This special landscape is renowned for its beautiful fynbos and mountain landscapes, home to a large extravagant ecosystem of biodiversity.?

However, this pristine ecosystem is under threat due to about 100,000 invasive Pine trees.?

80 passionate volunteers will be sawing, sweating, and chopping away using chainsaws, handsaws, and poppers to protect this sanctuary. Reaching areas by hiking, rope work, and helicopters to access the designated areas. James Bond Style! The success of this project will help the fynbos ecosystem to recover, protecting 98 endangered species in the region, such as the Cape Leopard. Importantly, these clearing efforts will substantially decrease water losses and minimise the threat of destructive hot fires, protecting soil banks and allowing this floral kingdom to grow and shine stronger than ever!

If spending the weekend out in nature in this majestic landscape is something that appeals to you - sign up here to volunteer your time and join in on the adventure!

2. Desa’a

This is a great story! And an award winning project by WeForest that is taking place in The Desa’a Forest which is one of the oldest remaining dry Afromontane forests in Ethiopia! This project aims to address a number of challenges that are generally a result of collapsing ecosystems, poverty, access to clean water, affordable energy, and maintaining local livelihoods.?

Since 2016, WeForest has been dedicated to the direct restoration and protection of over 40,000 hectares of the Desa’a forest. They have been making use of Assisted Natural Regeneration and Enrichment Planting restoration methods. WeForest carefully chooses to plant species that offer various benefits to both the health of the forest and the communities, helping to build a resilient socio-ecological metabolism.?

For instance, with certain species of olives, juniper, and briar root selected, they are combined with diverse grass species to provide food for livestock, and it also helps minimise erosion. These innovative ideas are supporting farmers with better water conservation and incredibly healthy soil.?

The success of this project will enhance the governance of natural resources and increase the socio-economic resilience of communities in and around the forest. This project has also had a special focus on marginalised groups - such as women, the landless, subsistence farmers, and youth - helping to allow the roots of all to grow stronger in their community.

Read more about this project here.

3. Forests for Life: Mistbelt Habitat Restoration Project

If you’ve ever been near Hogsback in the Eastern Cape, you’ll know that this land holds a strong sense of mystical charm. The quiet patter of feet on leavy forest floors, the immense height of towering yellowwood trees, and the faint call in the distance of what might be the elusive Cape Parrot.?

The Wild Bird Trust 's Cape Parrot Project, and has been helping restore sections of the deteriorated Amatole forest. This is the comeback story from our own nest.

The Cape Parrot, our only endemic parrot here in South Africa, faces significant threats primarily from habitat destruction and diseases, leaving approximately 1,800 individuals remaining in their natural habitat. The Wild Bird Trust is involved in restoring ecosystem functions and biodiversity through restoration. The project aims to restore forest landscapes in areas that have experienced deforestation or degradation. This intervention results in environmental benefits, restoration of habitats, and community engagement. As the poster child for restoration in the Mistbelt Mountains, the Cape Parrot has come to represent so much more than a single species; it is the bastion of hope that this fragile ecosystem can continue to support such unique species that have only ever known one home. Saving the Cape Parrot means restoring degraded yellowwood forests, protecting mature afromontane forest ecosystems, stopping encroaching development, and involving local communities in this process. Saving a species requires a holistic whole-ecosystem approach, and we are such big fans of the Cape Parrot Project and the work they continue to do for this special bird.?

Like so many of us, I am often struck by a feeling of climate anxiety, and bewilderment at the state of the world. Carbon emissions, fossil fuel extractivism, global governments failing to meet targets again and again… it is so easy to feel hopeless. And then, in spite of it all, we are reminded of the people and projects that give us hope for a future on this planet. These inspiring restoration projects represent a significant step toward a greener future. The dedicated efforts of the organisations and team members involved contribute to the revitalisation of ecosystems and set a precedent for how we can move forward.?

We hope that the success and impact of these initiatives serve as a catalyst, bringing other organisations to pursue similar journeys. Together, we will rebuild our nest thread by thread. We are so honoured to be one of the many storytellers out there who get to be part of spreading these messages, amplifying impact, and along the way meeting the people who give the world hope for a better future.

News From ReWild:

• Justin recently returned from a production with WWF UK in Kenya and Tanzania telling the story of an exceptional transboundary conservation project - Land for Life - that is all about human wildlife coexistence. He has come back incredibly inspired from having witnessed an example of community-led conservation that has been such a success.?
• Ale and Gareth just got back from a production in Uganda with BBC StoryWorks about building trail bridges to connect people in rural areas - more on this soon!
• Gareth is currently in Kenya filming mangroves and coastal regeneration. He is stoked to be able to do some underwater filming again!
• Meg joined Gareth last week to tell the story of SeaTrees with BBC StoryWorks - another amazing story of coastal communities and mangrove conservation areas. Wow, we are lucky.
• We had three team members just celebrate work anniversaries with ReWild! Justin has been leading the charge for six years, Ale working her mastery for five, and Benny steamrolling for one whole year! Time flies when you’re having fun…
• On Thursday 18 April, ReWild will be showcasing a couple of our films alongside Black Bean at the Cape Town Adventure Film Festival's Conservation Night. Join us for a great night at the Labia and a chance to meet with like-minded people in Cape Town. Tickets are on sale here.

Wild Regards,?

Team ReWild Africa?