Restoration Facts

Restoration Fact #1

The Power of Miyawaki Forests

The Miyawaki method of afforestation can grow forests up to 10 times faster and 30 times denser than traditional reforestation methods. This technique can also capture CO2 up to 30 times more effectively than conventional methods. Developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki, the method was born from decades of research on natural forest ecosystems, where he observed that planting a diverse mix of native species together—mimicking natural forests—creates self-sustaining ecosystems that thrive without ongoing human intervention. Read more here.

Restoration Fact #2

Imagine: The First AI-Powered Movie on Restoration

What if the future wasn’t just something we inherit, but something we create? 2025 saw the release of the first AI-generated movie on land restoration. A girl in the USA, a boy in Senegal, a child in the Northern Plateaus of China, and a Brazilian girl in the Atlantic Mangroves all confront the environmental damage to their homes. Yet, with the help of technology and their imagination, they visualise a future where the planet flourishes. Watch it here.

Restoration Fact #3

Land Restoration Shining through Children’s Eyes

More and more cities are restoring nature to blunt the worst impacts of climate change and make urban living more pleasant. Kanazawa, a Japanese city of 450,000 people, has launched a raft of initiatives to bring back greenery. One example is the annual firefly surveys, a citizen-science initiative to monitor biodiversity within the city. More than 4,500 children took part in the survey, and revealed firefly activity in over 600 locations. Read more here.

Restoration Fact #4

Why Mangrove Restoration is a Game-Changer

Restoring mangroves can supercharge climate action and coastal protection. Although mangroves cover only 0.1% of the planet’s surface, they store up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than most terrestrial forests. They also act as natural shields, reducing storm surges by as much as 50 cm per kilometer of mangrove width, protecting coastal communities from extreme weather. Read more here.

Restoration Fact #5

Rejuvenated Canals: Protecting and Uplifting Kochi 

In Kochi, India, a dense network of rivers, creeks and canals was once the lifeline of the city. But many have been neglected in recent decades amid rapid urbanisation. Yet, a new initiative by local authorities is now rejuvenating the canals, helping channel excess water away from the city. Planting trees alongside the canals will also create green corridors to dissipate heat. The canal network can also become a focus of renewed civic pride. Read more here.

Restoration Fact #6

From Erosion to Fertility: How Agroecology Heals Soils

Intensive agriculture and endless monocultures are stripping our soils, draining biodiversity, and fueling greenhouse gas emissions. The antidote? Agroecology. From no-till farming to fallows, these practices work with nature instead of against it. One of the most powerful tools is crop rotation with legumes—nature’s own soil healers. By capturing nitrogen from the atmosphere and turning it into plant-ready nutrients, crop rotations with legumes boost fertility, restore soil health, and set the stage for resilient harvests. Read more here.

Restoration Fact #7

Indigenous Peoples Revive Colombian Sierra Nevada

Indigenous peoples worldwide are vital environmental stewards. For instance, in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—a UNESCO Reserve known as the “Heart of the World”—Indigenous Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankuamo peoples are restoring land scarred by decades of conflict and exploitation. They protect sacred sites, regenerate forests, safeguard water sources for 1.8 million people, and combine ancestral knowledge with science to heal soils, biodiversity, and culture alike. Read more here.

Restoration Fact #8

Never Judge a Book by Its Cover: The Untold Powers of Grasslands

Grasslands may look humble, but they are biodiversity havens and hidden climate powerhouses. While investments in their restoration lag far behind other ecosystems, grasslands are among the world’s largest terrestrial carbon sinks. They store significant carbon in their belowground biomass, with studies showing this makes up 97% of their total carbon pool. Protecting and restoring grasslands, alongside sustainable management and halting their unchecked agricultural conversion, is urgent if we are serious about tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. Read more here.

Restoration Fact #9

Istanbul & Seattle as Habitats for Migratory Birds

The impact of unplanned urbanisation on migratory birds’ habitat loss is tragic, but sustainable urban planning can provide safe migration paths. In Istanbul, the city is building stopover parks and mapping migration routes to protect over 500,000 birds. In Seattle, metal nesting platforms are transforming stadium lights into safe nesting spaces for ospreys. Read more here.

Restoration Fact #10

Peatlands: The Restoration Tide is Turning

Peatlands cover just 3% of the Earth’s land, yet they store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined. When healthy, these waterlogged ecosystems filter water, store carbon, and safeguard rare species. But with only 19% under protection, they remain critically vulnerable. Luckily, the tide is turning—Peru now includes peatlands in its climate pledges, and the UK has launched ambitious peatland restoration programmes in the past years. Conserving peatlands is no longer optional—it’s essential for future. Read more here.