NATURE Kinds of community-led projects Community-led nature projects take place in many different landscapes and coastal areas to achieve specific biodiversity goals.
Reforestation Reforestation projects support local land managers in planting native trees, creating wildlife corridors and restoring damaged watersheds.
In coastal areas, community mangrove restoration protects water systems so native seeds can grow, creates natural storm barriers and brings back habitats for native fish.
Kelp and seagrass Marine environments also benefit from local involvement. Kelp and seagrass projects include local divers and fishing communities who plant seagrass beds and watch over kelp forests. Research from the International Union for Conservation of Nature shows that seagrass beds can store carbon up to 35 times faster than forests on land.
Coastal communities also play a key role in ongoing monitoring to protect against dredging and pollution.
Small-scale projects In crowded cities, communities can connect with their local environment and make a difference in daily life. Microforests, which are dense clusters of native plants on small unused plots, are becoming more popular.
These city microforests grow quickly and create self-sustaining native ecosystems in three to five years. They help reduce heat island effects, manage stormwater, and give city residents easy access to green spaces.
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