Experiencing the warmth of sand beneath our feet, feeling the coolness of water from a stream, or enjoying a tranquil day can bring us closer to the natural world. Yet, we often fail to recognize the essential functions that ecosystems serve in our everyday lives. With the looming threat of climate change, these vital ecosystems are increasingly at risk.

In June 2021, the United Nations (UN) introduced the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a global initiative focused on “supporting the recovery of damaged or destroyed ecosystems while safeguarding those that remain untouched.” The timing is crucial; currently, nearly 75% of the world’s land suffers degradation, adversely impacting over 3 billion individuals who are already grappling with the consequences of soil erosion. Alarmingly, 60% of the ecosystem services we depend on are being utilized unsustainably.

From wetlands to arid landscapes, the restoration of ecosystems worldwide holds great promise for combating climate change. The UN estimates that revitalizing these environments could remove between 13 to 26 gigatons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere by 2030 and drive economic recovery in communities affected by environmental crises.

Although the ambitious task of restoring global ecosystems might appear reserved for seasoned scientists and experts, the most unexpected catalyst for change is actually you.

Ecosystems Restoration Communities (ERC), based in the Netherlands, empowers individuals worldwide to contribute to ecosystem restoration through training, research, and hands-on involvement in local projects. Their inaugural initiative took place in Spain, where a farmer generously offered six hectares of his 200-hectare farm to volunteers, giving them insight into restoring severely degraded agricultural land. With over 50 projects currently underway, ERC focuses on diverse efforts, from coral reef rehabilitation in Kenya to soil restoration in California’s wildfire-impacted forests.

According to ERC Director Pieter van der Gaag, the organization’s mission is to “empower ordinary individuals to kickstart initiatives, providing them with resources and knowledge, and fostering a supportive community for knowledge sharing.” Since its establishment, the organization has seen around 25,000 participants engage in camps, training, and local volunteer projects.

To connect individuals around the globe, ERC launched the Restoration Project Finder, a platform designed for locals to share insights and opportunities. Additionally, they engage users via a WhatsApp chat, where innovative farming concepts, like a hand-drawn model from a farmer in Turkey, have been successfully applied by a group in Bolivia.

“I hope participants can express, ‘I aspire to be a beacon for others,’” Van der Gaag shares. “Someone in Somalia can assist someone in California navigate dryland challenges and vice versa, showcasing how global connectivity can foster a robust movement aimed at restoring our connection with the Earth.”

ERC’s initiatives prioritize empowering local communities who have the best understanding of their environments and needs. This community-driven approach also highlights the significant economic impact of ecosystem restoration, especially for Indigenous groups whose livelihoods are tied to healthy lands.

One noteworthy project takes place in Mombasa, where the destruction of mangrove forests led to a decline in local fisheries and food shortages affecting nearby communities. “Local youth, equipped with internet access, recognized the dilemma,” Van der Gaag explains. “The excessive logging for fuel had devastated the mangroves, which now required restoration. As a result, local youth from the slums have planted over a million mangrove trees, initiated from an acute recognition of necessity. Such projects empower communities, showing them they can enact change themselves.”

In addition to the ecological and economic advantages of ERC’s projects, there are undeniable social and emotional rewards associated with ecological restoration, particularly for urban populations grappling with climate anxiety and a disconnection from nature.

In 2020, The Birdhouse became the first urban camp to affiliate with ERC. Co-founded by John Allen and Bella LeNestour in 2016, this organization operates as “a hybrid think tank, arts lab, urban greening initiative, and sustainable land use model.”

Nestled beneath the iconic Hollywood sign, The Birdhouse distinguishes itself with an arts-centric approach that resonates in a city known for its dynamic creativity. Allen expresses, “Our strategy for addressing climate change intertwines the realms of art and ecology. I aim to bridge both the spiritual and scientific dimensions.” Recently, in true Birdhouse fashion, Allen participated in a flute-making workshop led by the group’s Tongva cultural advisor, a step towards honoring the original inhabitants of the city and “decolonizing our thoughts to decolonize the landscape.”

The Birdhouse provides extensive support to the community through virtual workshops, in-person training sessions, storytelling, singing activities, farm-to-table cooking, and herbalism classes. They have also begun local soil sampling, systematically entering findings into ERC’s database for further study.

Allen emphasizes that urban ecosystem restoration is a distinct process with tangible consequences. Community gardens, for example, can greatly influence the cooling of their surroundings, often dominated by concrete. “Urban rooftops can create heat islands, causing hot air to rise and disrupt precipitation patterns, leading to a cycle of drought and flooding,” he warns. The Birdhouse addresses this issue by cultivating trees that help mitigate heat.

“In green spaces within cities, temperatures can differ by nearly 10 degrees compared to adjacent streets,” he points out. “Our efforts extend beyond merely planting trees; we protect them from urban threats, including wildlife and traffic, while employing specialized composting techniques that restore vital microbial activity in the soil, making it more capable of retaining any rain that does arrive.”

For Allen and the Birdhouse community, these projects forge a strong link with nature, a connection that often diminishes in urban environments, and instills hope amidst disheartening news and concerning statistics. “We formed this community to avoid isolation in the face of fear,” he explains. “We uplift one another in nurturing our creativity. When you cultivate an imaginative vision for a hopeful future, it transitions you from mere resignation to proactive inspiration and action.”

Whether your interests lie in hydrology or hands-on gardening, one of ERC’s advantages is that almost anyone can participate. The Birdhouse in Los Angeles offers a rotating schedule of events and workshops throughout the year. Allen also encourages residents to plant trees on their properties, observing that “It takes just 280 acres of photosynthesis from trees and grasses to influence rainfall patterns. If individuals undertake this on their land, we can guide them.”

For those looking for broader opportunities, ERC provides various long- and short-term volunteer options through its website. They seek volunteers with diverse skills, from drone mapping and data collection to writing and photography.

There are also options to engage from the comfort of home. ERC offers online courses such as Introduction to Ecosystem Restoration and Ecosystem Restoration Design for anyone wanting to gain expert insights into ecosystem revitalization.

Regardless of whether your motivation stems from combating climate change, supporting local farmers and families, or rekindling your bond with the Earth and your community, taking steps to restore ecosystems worldwide can forge a meaningful connection between your soul and the planet. Ultimately, real change begins at home.

This article appeared originally in the November-December 2023 edition of up7op magazine (US edition).