South Africa

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Forestry Branch is responsible for rehabilitation and restoring the Forestry land and land that are degraded and deteriorating acros South Africa. The organization hother area used for Biodiversity offset and offset banking and credit. The Department partnership with the private sector and local municipality in order to achieve the purposed. This is done to maximize ecosystem service , biodiversity connectivity and conservation and to promote forestry through education and awarenes, and to ensure household food and nutrition security. Communities involve by selecting the land or farm for Government assistant and financial support and research funding extension. The project also benefits the youth and women who are disadvantages and vulnerable, the project conduct done by Expanded public work programme , this program alleviate poverty and promote economic growth in the communities. It is use labour intensive method which allow the drawing o a significant number of participants into the programme. Land ownership and distribution, land tenure, desertification, climate change , pest and dieses , fire , theft and compliance and enforcement capacity, lack or capacity for effective land use management. Illegal activities taken place in the forestry land, resources, fragmented and land administration, stakeholder engagement, spatial transformation, data availability and acces to the land. Crime , work ethics, affirmative action and emigration.

10 hectare hectares

Currently, Divine Redemption International Ministry is actively engaged in land restoration at their local land and community level, focusing on practical and substianable action to rehabilitate degrade land and promote environmental awarenes. One main effort I'm involved is tree planting especially using indigenous species that supports local biodiversity. Key challenges include key challenges include key challenges include land management comes with a lot of challenges especially when you trying to balance environmental substianability with community needs and available resources.

18000 Ha hectares

Land restoration initiatives of putting gabions, planting a tree campaign, and soil erosion prevention education in their schools. Inappropriate land uses like planting on the slopes. Key challenges include key challenges include shortage of funding, lack of knowledge of soil conservation in the communities.

20 ha hectares

Anglican church is trying to eradicate the invasive plants especially in their Parishes as they deplete water reserves. Planting of beneficial plants and trees to prevent soil erosion and los of nutrients from the soil. South Africa, Anglican Diocese of Mzimvubu. Rotational grazing technique so to give the land a period of stay and regrowth have been applied and controlled fire belts. Key challenges include key challenges include the challenge is veld fires and deforestation.

30 000+ hectares

Their diocese, located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, spans eleven regions from the southern to the northern coastline, including the Drakensberg mountains. It is geographically diverse, with urban, semi-urban, and rural areas, and both small and large villages. Currently, the organization has 99 parishes, several of which include multiple chapels, particularly in rural areas. The organization is focused on implementing gardening initiatives acros all parishes, including those in urban centers. Innovative methods, such as rooftop planting in pots, are being explored. Additionally, the organization is rolling out the Farming Gods Way program, supported by their children's ministry, and plan to introduce it within their diocesan schools the organization has been planting indigenous trees and Spekboom, a plant known for its ability to mitigate flooding and soil erosion by absorbing exces water. Moving forward, the organization plan to train young people in agroforestry in rural areas, where land is available. This initiative will be supervised by the parishes, with a focus on land restoration in flood-affected areas. The rural areas of their diocese have ample land but lack resources and government support. The organization aim to enhance capacity-building through workshops on sustainable land use and nature-based solutions, benefiting both the church and the surrounding communities, particularly in poverty-stricken areas with high unemployment. The organization seek resources to establish farming projects that can sustain both the church and the community, as well as mentorship programs connecting young people with experienced agroforestry practitioners. Their goal is to help youth utilize available land, reduce unemployment, and develop vital skills. The organization also aim to implement wetland restoration and alien species removal programs, along with systems for monitoring and ensuring the sustainability of these initiatives. This significantly limits any initiatives that could benefit both the church and the community. Proper land management which requires infrastructure such as fencing, irrigation, and security, as well as expertise in addressing land degradation is not readily available to us. The organization do not have adequate capacity building financial investment. Furthermore, their churches prohibit renting out land to generate funds later for development, which limits their ability to initiate meaningful projects. Land invasions are a common issue, with individuals illegally building on church property or grazing animals. There is a pressing need for educational workshops and training to equip the church with sustainable land-use practices.

400 hectares hectares

Their Land restoration efforts, including communion forest initiatives, ecosystem restoration, forest protection, reforestation, and afforestation, have positively impacted the environment. These efforts have:. Revitalized degraded lands. Enhanced biodiversity. Supported ecosystem services. Mitigated climate change By discouraging deforestation and promoting sustainable land-use practices, we've seen:. Improved soil health. Better water cycles. Increased carbon sequestration These initiatives have contributed to a more resilient environment, supporting both local communities and the planet's ecological balance. Resistance from local communities or stakeholders. Climate change impacts (droughts, extreme weather). Land tenure or ownership issues. Balancing competing land-use interests (agriculture, urbanization).

506 hectares hectares

At present, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), of which Zion Christian Church is a full affiliated member, does not have any formal land restoration activities that Zion Christian Church is directly involved in. However, as someone with a background in environmental management and a strong commitment to sustainable development, The organization sees significant potential for faith-based engagement in land restoration within the ZCC community. The organization believes that integrating faith values with environmental awarenes can be a powerful tool to mobilise communities around stewardship of the land. Zion Christian Church is particularly interested in starting educational outreach and pilot restoration projects that link theological teachings on creation care with practical actions like indigenous vegetation planting, erosion control, and sustainable land use. Zion Christian Church's goal is to explore partnerships between academic institutions, local municipalities, and the church to co-develop community-led restoration initiatives rooted in both science and faith. The Faith4Land Masterclass would equip me with the tools, networks, and perspective needed to help begin this work in Zion Christian Church's church and community. These gatherings result in soil compaction, erosion, and strain on local water and waste systems. Waste disposal and sanitation infrastructure are often overwhelmed during peak periods, posing environmental and health risks. With growing numbers of pilgrims, the need for structured land use planning, environmental education, and restoration efforts has become more urgent.

At Push and Reach Movement, the organization has initiated small-scale land restoration efforts through community gardens and green skills development in the Limpopo province of South Africa, particularly in Fetakgomo Tubatse municipalities. These projects focus on rehabilitating underutilized community land for climate-smart agriculture, promoting indigenous crops, composting, and sustainable water use practices. The organization collaborates with traditional councils, local churches, and schools to foster a culture of stewardship and restore degraded areas into productive, green spaces. While the organization do not currently own large plots of land, the organization support community members in accessing and managing land, particularly vulnerable groups like women, youth, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. The organization also engage in environmental education through awarenes campaigns that link climate change, food insecurity, and land degradation. Moving forward, the organization plan to expand into agroforestry and rainwater harvesting while integrating faith-based principles into their approach to restoration and sustainability. Additionally, many local faith communities lack awarenes or formal teachings on land stewardship, making it harder to mobilize long-term commitment. Navigating complex traditional leadership and government structures can also delay acces or permission for land use.

Their faith organization is actively involved in land restoration and sustainable land management efforts in South Africa, particularly in Limpopo Province (Mphanama village) and Northern Cape (Upington area). The organization support projects that restore degraded communal lands through agroecological practices, erosion control, reforestation, and installation of water infrastructure such as boreholes to improve resilience and agricultural productivity. These efforts are implemented in partnership with local communities, tribal authorities, and government departments, with a focus on empowering women and youth. The organization is also exploring climate-smart agriculture techniques and nature-based solutions to enhance food security while protecting biodiversity. In addition to current projects, the organization is planning to expand restoration work into other provinces, aligning with their vision of healing land and livelihoods through faith-based action grounded in stewardship ethics and ecological justice. The organization welcome knowledge and collaboration opportunities to strengthen these interventions. Climate change impacts such as droughts and extreme weather further strain restoration efforts. There are also gaps in stakeholder coordination and knowledge transfer, which hinder sustainable land use planning and monitoring.

Segope Water and Environmental Services, led by Chief Mr. Maisela, is actively involved in land and water restoration initiatives in Ga-Sekororo, Limpopo Province, and in urban areas such as Johannesburg, South Africa. While Segope operates its leadership deeply values the role of community and spiritual stewardship in caring for the land. Under Chief Maiselas guidance, the organization implements sustainable practices including soil rehabilitation, reforestation with indigenous plants, and improved water management to restore degraded ecosystems. Segope engages local communities by collaborating with traditional leaders, faith groups, and residents to promote environmental awarenes and responsible land use aligned with cultural and spiritual values. The company also offers training and capacity-building to empower community members in ecosystem restoration efforts. Looking forward, Segope plans to expand its restoration programs through partnerships with local faith organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions to develop models that blend scientific approaches with community-led stewardship. These efforts aim to strengthen ecological health and support sustainable livelihoods in both rural and urban settings. Engaging communities consistently and building their capacity for long-term stewardship also requires ongoing effort.

Lathitha Biodiesel is preparing to launch a land restoration and clean energy hub on a 2-hectare site in Burgersfort, Limpopo, South Africa. The initiative will include reforestation with indigenous species, soil rehabilitation, and creating buffer zones around their biodiesel production to prevent pollution. While the organization currently focus on converting waste cooking oil into clean fuel, this project expands their impact to restoring degraded land and promoting circular practices. The organization engages faith leaders, youth, and schools to foster environmental stewardship and view land especially in integrating biodiesel production with sustainable land use. The organization seek to overcome these through partnerships, training, and capacity-building initiatives.

Free State, South Africa, Green Anglican diocese of the free state is actively involved in land restoration activities through the Green Anglican movement. Their movement has taken steps toward caring for the land by organizing clean-up campaigns, promoting tree planting, and encouraging plastic-free living during special church seasons such as Lent and the Season of Creation. One of their most promising projects is the establishment of a vegetable garden on church grounds. This project aims to restore unused land while also addressing food insecurity and teaching sustainable farming methods. The organization is currently seeking sponsorship and training to expand this effort. The organization also collaborate with other parishes in the diocese to promote environmental awarenes through liturgy, guild training, and parish events. Firstly, the organization lack the technical expertise and training needed to implement effective restoration practices. Most of their initiatives are based on passion rather than professional guidance. Additionally, the local climatemarked by drought and unpredictable rainfallposes serious obstacles to maintaining any planted areas. Finally, there is a need for deeper environmental education within their church community, as not everyone fully understands the spiritual and practical importance of land stewardship.