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WETLAND RESTORATION
In 2000, the American West entered a megadrought that became its driest stretch in roughly 1,200 years. Years later, it left major lakes and reservoirs majorly depleted, with some losing enough water to expose miles of lakebedSeveral major North American lakes are experiencing significant water level declines. Drought, warming temperatures, and increased water de...
2 New Orleans students crushed millions of discarded bottles into recycled glass sand to fight coastal erosion; the result transformed Louisiana's sinking marshes by anchoring new grass and helping rebuild one of America's most vulnerable coastlinesTwo New Orleans students saw a problem hiding in plain sight: discarded glass had little practical recycling value in their city, while Lou...
In 2008, Spain began filling 300-metre-deep coal mine with 547 billion litres of water; four years later, the site looked nothing like it once didA vast open-pit coal mine in As Pontes, Spain, has been transformed into a large artificial lake. Engineers filled the enormous excavation ...
In 1990, Guatemala launched an ambitious mahogany restoration program in Petén to combat deforestation. Years later, it produced Central America's largest natural forest and transformed the province into a global conservation modelGuatemala's 1990 mahogany restoration program changed the future of the country's forests. Instead of losing more rainforest, the Maya Bios...
In 1990, U.S. conservationists repurposed thousands of discarded Christmas trees to slow coastal erosion. Thirty-six years later, the unusual experiment produced thriving wetlands, healthier wildlife habitats, and stronger natural defenses against stormsHow Recycled Christmas Trees Are Saving Louisiana’s Coastline: Louisiana has lost over 2,000 square miles of coastline since the 1930s. But...
Louisiana's decades-old Christmas tree recycling program is quietly helping restore thousands of acres of wetlandsDiscarded Christmas trees are now rebuilding Louisiana's eroding coastlines. These trees are bundled and flown by helicopter into fragile m...
North America once had 400 million beavers, nearly wiped out by the 1900s; they are now helping shield wildfire-prone stream corridors in northeastern Washington from flamesBeavers, once a dominant presence in North America, shaped resilient ecosystems that thrived as they created vast wetland habitats. Their n...
New York crushed 5,000 discarded school toilets and lowered the porcelain into Jamaica Bay, creating foundations for new oyster reefsNew York City recycled nearly five thousand old toilets from public schools. This discarded porcelain became part of new oyster reef founda...
110-quadrillion-kilometer fungal network moves CO₂ equal to about 11% of annual human emissions into soil each yearAn intricate web of tiny fungal threads stretches underground, connecting plants around the world. These microorganisms are essential, shar...
For over a decade, Louisiana groups have been planting cypress and tupelo trees to help buffer hurricanes; 30,000 are planned near Lake BorgneVolunteers are replanting thousands of trees near Lake Borgne, Louisiana. These efforts aim to rebuild a natural buffer against storm surge...
In the 1980s, Dutch ecologists released cattle, horses, and deer into a fenced polder to recreate “wild Europe”; in one winter, its herds collapsedOostvaardersplassen's ambitious rewilding project sought to revive Europe’s ecological history with the introduction of tough native specie...
In 1910, Beavers nearly disappeared from the US. Today they are reshaping rivers againNorth America's beaver population faced near extinction due to the fur trade. Fashion changes and conservation efforts allowed their number...
In 1962, a Massachusetts mother occupied city hall over a sludge-covered river; her campaign helped pass a clean-water law and protect 174 milesMarion Stoddart spearheaded a vital grassroots initiative against the pollution of the Nashua River, demonstrating remarkable dedication an...
In the 1930s, a Florida nurseryman scattered Australian tree seeds from an airplane to dry wetlands; the trees later invaded more than 400,000 acres of Florida wetlandsIn the 1930s, melaleuca trees were introduced to Florida's Everglades. These trees were intended to drain wetlands for development and farm...
In 2003, an Iraqi engineer left California to re-flood wetlands Saddam had turned into desert; up to 60% of the ancient marshes later returnedAzzam Alwash embarked on a mission to restore the ravaged Mesopotamian Marshes upon his return to Iraq. By implementing a straightforward p...
In 1863, a deadly US massacre killed hundreds of Native Americans. 160 years later, the Shoshone are restoring the site of the attackIn 1863, the Bear River Massacre became the deadliest slaughter of Native Americans in US history, leaving hundreds of Shoshone men, women ...
Texas released 3 million captive-bred eggs to save this endangered amphibian. It may be workingA male Houston toad was sighted in Bastrop County, Texas, after a 50-year absence. This sighting follows the release of millions of captive...
Between the 1930s and 1980s, Finland drained 4.7 million hectares of peatland to accelerate forest growth; the exposed peat soils are now a growing source of carbon dioxideFinland drained vast peatlands for forestry after World War II. These drained soils now release significant amounts of carbon dioxide annua...
In 1980, one of America's worst volcanic eruptions flattened this land. Now, 58 beavers have brought it back to lifeBeavers have revitalized a Mount St. Helens wasteland into a thriving wetland. These industrious rodents created a vibrant ecosystem after ...
NMCG restoring five wetlands in Ganga basin, plans to expand conservation effortsThe National Mission for Clean Ganga is restoring five wetlands across three states. Conservation efforts will expand to other high-priorit...