Forest landscape restoration: building on the past for future success

Abstract

Living in a time of continuous crises, the effects of climate change, social unrest, and military conflicts are apparent at every turn. The loss and degradation of natural systems is an existential crisis for humanity; reversing the destruction is urgent international policy. The novel coronavirus pandemic and accompanying global economic recession have reversed recent gains in reducing poverty. The pandemic underscores the importance of nature: as a refuge from social isolation and a source of novel viruses. Viewed optimistically, this may be what the philosopher Gershom Scholem called “plastic hours,” a fortuitous alignment of public opinion, political power, and events that overcomes the desire to return to the status quo. “Building back better” with nature‐based solutions after COVID 19 complements the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Experience from implementing forest landscape restoration (FLR) under the Bonn Challenge points the way forward. Implementing FLR requires balancing competing interests and differing priorities for livelihoods versus biodiversity while aligning local with national goals. People live in degraded landscapes and unless local needs are addressed, restoration likely fails. Experience shows that multi‐stakeholder processes require skilled facilitators to plan, moderate, and monitor FLR. Initial experience with training FLR facilitators suggests the most promising option is a series of workshops followed by a mentorship program.