In 2014, CONAFOR launched restoration across 1 million hectares of degraded Mexican land. 4 years later, plant survival rates had nearly doubled through community action

Restoring damaged land on a large scale requires more than planting trees. Communities and landowners need financial resources, technical guidance, and better-quality planting material to give restoration projects a stronger chance of succeeding. Mexico's restoration effort under CONAFOR brought these elements together while focusing on areas that had experienced serious environmental damage.

A One-Million-Hectare Restoration Ambition

In 2014, Mexico's National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) made an ambitious goal of initiating to restore 1 million hectares by the conclusion of 2018. This large pledge is in addition to Mexico's around 7.5-million-hectare commitment to the Bonn Challenge and Initiative 20x20. Four years later, CONAFOR has met its objective.

The scale of the target needed participation beyond the forestry authority itself. CONAFOR directed incentives toward communities and landowners situated in priority watersheds and on land where soils had become heavily degraded. The initiative also addressed regions that had lost forest cover or been impacted by forest fires, pests, and other natural disasters.

Community Participation at the Center

Local communities and landowners have a significant role in putting restoration projects into practice. CONAFOR offered support designed to help them carry out activities on affected land rather than depending solely on centralized techniques.

The financial commitment was also important. CONAFOR spent almost 12 billion pesos (around US$ 591 million) on the program, providing resources for the large-scale restoration attempt.

Plant Survival Nearly Doubles

One of the most important outcomes arrived from the survival of planted vegetation. Plant survival increased from 33% in 2014 to 64% in 2018, a feat that was verified by the Universidad de Chapingo, an independent third party.

The improvement was accompanied by attempts to address plant quality. CONAFOR strengthened the initiative by formulating norms for the collection and reproduction of tree species. Better-quality plants were regarded as an important factor in making restoration successful in a large place.

Technical Guidance Alongside Financial Support

Money alone was not the only form of assistance available to participants. CONAFOR also offers technical assistance and delivers periodical financial support to allow landowners and communities to bring restoration projects.

This technical component offered communities access to critical technical know-how. Such guidance supported participants carrying out restoration activities while getting continuing support from the forest authority.

The Restoration Work Continues

Meeting the original target did not bring the initiative to a conclusion. Although the program has already exceeded its target, it is still active.

CONAFOR's large-scale restoration project has encouraged and will continue to advise Mexicans to plant trees for the economic health of rural communities, to provide important ecosystem services, and to help make Mexico resilient to climate change.

The program's progress, mainly the increase in plant survival from 33% to 64%, highlights the role of community participation, technical assistance, financial support, and plant quality in a large-scale restoration effort.


Source: Initiative 20x20

FAQs:

Q1. What is land restoration?

Land restoration involves efforts to improve areas that have been damaged or degraded. It can include activities that support the recovery of vegetation and ecosystems.

Q2. What was CONAFOR’s restoration target?

CONAFOR aimed to begin restoring 1 million hectares by the end of 2018. The organization met this goal four years after launching the initiative.