CHIEFS FOR CHANGE: TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP CHAMPIONING FOREST AND LANDSCAPE RESTORATION

Since 2010, communities in Senior Group Village Headman Bande, under Traditional Authority Mbenje in Nsanje, have taken bold steps to regenerate their degraded forests and restore the surrounding landscape. This initiative followed years of widespread deforestation that began in the mid-1990s, when residents turned to charcoal production and brick curing—activities heavily reliant on firewood—as primary sources of income. This unsustainable exploitation of natural resources led to the loss of community forests and the clearing of vital tree cover along the Lalanje River. Over time, the landscape was stripped bare, and the Lalanje River, once the area’s most crucial water source, dried up in the early 2000s, flowing only during the rainy season. The community’s efforts mark a critical turning point in reversing environmental damage and restoring the health of their ecosystem.

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SYNTROPIC COMMUNITY FOOD FOREST FOR THE RESTORATION OF MALAWI'S NATURE AND PEOPLE

In response to deforestation and soil degradation, CARD and LUANAR launched a Syntropic Community Food Forest Demonstration Plot in Chimwala, Mulanje. Thedemo plot promotes sustainable agriculture by utilizing syntropic agroforestry, permaculture, and biofertilizer production techniques, which improve soil health and provide alternative income sources. Communities in Mulanje and Blantyre (Michiru Conserv Area) have successfully adopted these methods, generating income while restoring their land. This approach combines ecological restoration with economic opportunities, fostering local ownership and long-term conservation. Through training and participatory workshops, the initiative empowers communities, addressing environmental challenges while enhancing food security and resilience. This model highlights the importance of community engagement in sustainable land management and showcases the potential for local solutions to combat environmental degradation.

Tecnologías satelitales para la vigilancia activa del Parque Nacional Revillagigedo

El Parque Nacional Revillagigedo (PNR) protege 14.8 millones de hectáreas marinas en el Pacífico Mexicano, siendo el área de no pesca más grande de Norteamérica. Su aislamiento, gran extensión y las limitaciones en infraestructura, recursos y personal dificultan implementar acciones eficaces de supervisión y vigilancia. Estas condiciones representan un reto importante ante amenazas como la pesca ilegal o malas prácticas de turismo que ponen en riesgo el equilibrio ecológico y la biodiversidad del archipiélago.

Para enfrentar esta problemática, el PNR ha establecido alianzas estratégicas con entidades gubernamentales y no gubernamentales, e implementado tecnologías de monitoreo satelital que permiten detectar e interpretar patrones de navegación dentro del área protegida. Esta solución, reforzada con la capacitación técnica del personal operativo, ha permitido ejercer una vigilancia más eficiente, reducir la dependencia del patrullaje presencial y avanzar hacia la protección activa de su patrimonio natural.

FARM AND COMMUNITY RADIOS FOR IMPROVED PEER TO PEER LEARNING ON FOREST AND LANDSCAPE RESTORATION

Farm Radio Trust (FRT) is a Malawian NGO dedicated to improving smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural information through radio and ICT-based platforms. In rural areas where formal extension services are limited, radio remains a trusted source of knowledge. FRT uses this medium—alongside mobile and digital tools—to deliver inclusive, accurate, and locally relevant extension and advisory services. We bridge the gap between farmers and extension worker ratio and reach to a wider community, scaling out agriculture innovations.

The Solution addresses the lack of access to reliable agricultural information among men, women, and youth farmers. It increases awareness and adoption of climate-resilient and productivity-enhancing practices by making information accessible and understandable. FRT also supports policy integration of ICT in extension systems and promotes the use of market linkage platforms, improving farmers’ access to inputs, services, and markets, and strengthening agricultural value chains.

FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR) AND EVERGREENING AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR RESTORATION

Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) empowers communities affected by land degradation and climate change. It involves regenerating trees from stumps, roots, or seeds to improve soil fertility, crop yields, fodder, firewood, water sources, and biodiversity—ultimately enhancing livelihoods.

By managing regrowth of native trees in farms and pastures, FMNR restores soil health, prevents erosion, retains moisture, and can enrich soil with nutrients like nitrogen. This low-cost, sustainable method supports economic, social, and environmental goals.

FMNR is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is key to improving life for millions of children and their communities worldwide. It is an approach that currently is being applied for different programmes and projects such as the Restore Africa Project as well as others that focus on sustainable livelihoods.

GREEN CORPS FOR THE RESTORATION OF MALAWI'S DEGRADED FOREST LANDSCAPES

Malawi Green Corps supports Malawi Vision 2063 by advancing a greener economy and unlocking youth potential as key agents of development. It aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), aiming to prevent, and reverse ecosystem degradation. The initiative builds on lessons from the Malawi Youth Forestry Service and the COVID-19 recovery plan. Through government-identified hotspots in 10 districts, Catholic Relief Service (CRS) provides human and financial resources to recruit and train up to 2,000 youth aged 18–35 in environmental and forestry management, entrepreneurship, and forest literacy. Each youth cohort participates for up to 4 months. During this period, youth acquire practical skills and opportunities to generate green jobs, support others through employment, and contribute to building a sustainable economy. CRS oversees day-to-day supervision of participants, while overall project monitoring is conducted by UNDP Malawi in coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change.

Temperate Rainforest Restoration Programme on the West Coast of the UK and on the Isle of Man

Temperate rainforest is often affectionately described as woodland where there is ‘green on green on green’, due to the hundreds of species of plants and lichens which cover every surface. The west coast of the British Isles, with its high rainfall and infrequency of winter snow, steady temperatures, and clean air, is one of the few places globally with the right conditions for it to form and thrive.

Once covering a fifth of our land, there are now only a few scattered fragments remaining- with the majority in Scotland (approximately 30,000 hectares). There are fragments still in parts of Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man – an area collectively termed our ‘oceanic zone’. Conserving and expanding our temperate rainforest is of vital importance not only for carbon sequestration, but also to protect ancient plant life, and to keep migrating populations of pied flycatchers, wood warblers, redstarts, and tree pipits coming back to our woodlands each year.

DEEP BED FARMING (DBF) FOR ENHANCED AGRICULTURAL LAND RESTORATION

Tiyeni empowers Malawian farmers with Deep Bed Farming (DBF), a climate resilient method that boosts crop yields, improves water retention, and restores degraded soils, also known as Biointensive Gardening in other countries. By breaking the hardpan layer, DBF enhances soil fertility, reducing erosion and increasing food security. Since 2013, Tiyeni has trained over 15,000 farmers, with many achieving full food security and seeing a nearly ninefold profitability increase in their first year. The approach is sustainable, using a peer-to-peer model, whereby Lead Farmers train others, ensuring long-term adoption. This decentralized system strengthens communities and supports environmental restoration. Farmers who embrace DBF witness healthier soils and more resilient farms, proving its effectiveness in tackling Malawi’s food and climate challenges. The demand for DBF is growing, as more farmers see its benefits and request training, making it a transformative solution for agricultural sustainability and land restoration.

Reintroduction of Crayfish in the Sihlwald Forest Reserve

Crayfish used to be widespread in Switzerland. However, the four native species are now under severe pressure threatened by habitat loss and invasive species, including crayfish plague. Crayfish play an important role in the aquatic ecosystem. As omnivores, they break down dead plants or the remains of dead fish, for example. They also serve as food for numerous animals, including larger fish such as pike, as well as foxes, otters, martens and herons.

The aquatic habitat also plays an important role in the Sihlwald forest reserve. The Wildnispark Zurich Foundation is committed to species conservation and supports the promotion of native wild animal species and local populations.

The goal of this project is to restore a viable population of stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) in the Sihlwald and to sensitize the local population and parks visitors to the topic of the aquatic biocenosis.

LUCHECHE TREE PLANTATION COOPERATIVE FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS

In 2013, Kawandama Hills Plantation partnered with the Lucheche Cooperative to trial the planting of Corymbia citriodora trees on previously bare and underutilized land for income generation. The success of this initiative led to the cooperative’s formal registration and growth to 172 farmers, now managing 70 hectares of thriving trees. With support from a USAID grant (2016–2019), the farmers collectively sell an average of 80 tons of leaf biomass annually to Kawandama Hills for essential oil production. This reliable income has empowered farmers to build better homes, send their children to school, and launch secondary businesses such as dairy and egg farming. Importantly, the cooperative plays a vital role in reducing illegal bushmeat hunting and charcoal production by offering alternative livelihoods. Through mutual support and a revolving loan system, members encourage innovation and expand income-generating opportunities, contributing to sustainable land use and long-term economic growth in the region.

PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN FLR THROUGH THE ADOPT A FOREST INITIATIVE

The Government of Malawi introduced the Adopt a Forest initiative to involve the private sector in Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) through sustainable forest management. Aligned with the National Forestry Policy (2016) and the FLR Strategy (2017), the initiative promotes investment, improved livelihoods, and restoration of degraded forests.

Private institutions sign 3–5 year agreements with the Department of Forestry, District Councils, and traditional authorities and leaders. They fund implementation, while the Department offers technical support and ensures compliance with standards.

The National Bank of Malawi (NBM) committed MK100 million to restore forests in Jembya, Seven Hills, and Mangochi Palm Reserves, creating jobs and supporting community livelihoods. Activities included planting trees, forest management, and restoration of Village Forest Areas. Communities benefited through piecework and livestock support, enhancing both ecosystems and incomes.

WOMEN COOPERATIVES PRODUCE THEIR OWN COMPOST TO RESTORE MALAWI'S SOIL

Malawi faces a severe soil crisis due to land degradation, threatening food security and livelihoods. At the same time, large amounts of organic waste go unused, contributing to environmental pollution. The “POSSIBLE” project addresses these challenges by training farmers to produce their own compost, turning waste into a valuable resource for soil restoration. This initiative has empowered women’s cooperatives to take the lead in compost production, creating sustainable businesses while improving soil fertility. By transforming waste into an opportunity, the project enhances agricultural productivity, restores degraded land, and provides economic benefits. Through hands-on training and cooperative models, communities are building resilience, ensuring long-term sustainability for both people and the environment.

BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION FOR IMPROVED SOIL HEALTH

In Mulanje and Blantyre, farming communities are leading organic soil restoration efforts with training and support from CARD. Soil degradation is caused by radical deforestation, slash and burn leading to bare soils, monocropping, tilling and soil disturbance, contamination through inappropriate use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as climate change. To combat this, CARD equips farmers with the knowledge and materials to produce Mbeya fertilizer—a mix of manure, husks, wood ash, and minimal mineral inputs—helping rebuild soil organic matter. Farmers also learn how to prepare biofertilizers using locally available resources like manure, charcoal, molasses, and nutrient-rich leaves, fermenting them into powerful soil enhancers. These sustainable solutions boost soil health and enhance crop yields and quality while also creating income opportunities, as trained farmers can use and sell organic fertilizers. Heavy mulching and integration of trees offer a full solution to the soil crisis.