Reflecting on World Environment Day 2024 – and thinking ‘big’ in land restoration

On the 5th of June, which marks World Environment Day each year, we received the fantastic news that NGT’s project to expand our reserve at Walker Swamp – to include a large woodland restoration component – was funded by the Victorian Government’s Nature Fund Program. The timing of the announcement seems especially fitting, given that the theme for World Environment Day this year is land restoration!

So while we are on the topic of land restoration, and for something a little different, I thought I would also share an absolutely fascinating video that I saw recently, which got me thinking about land restoration at a whole new scale. The case study site is the Great Green Wall in Africa, where efforts are underway at the continental scale to contain the expansion of the Sahara Desert.

While this is an example of land restoration that is very strongly focused on social and economic outcomes, I found the logic of what is being undertaken and their methods absolutely fascinating. Harnessing ancient techniques and wisdom, and working within the constraints of the land and climate, is delivering some visually stunning and truly remarkable outcomes.

I hope you like viewing this as much as I did – enjoy!