Reversing desertification with regenerative practices
A regenerative movement led by a common vision is tackling desertification, halting soil erosion and creating resilient communities.
Up to 40% of the world's land is degraded. We're working to restore it.
Landscape degradation is at the heart of the world's biggest problems. Affecting a third of the world's population, it is a major contributor to food insecurity, water scarcity, climate change and biodiversity loss, destroying the ecosystems we all rely upon to survive. We facilitate landscape restoration from the ground up. From farmers to business owners, policymakers to NGOs, we work with a diverse range of partners to protect and restore landscapes across the world. To make the greatest impact, we are also building a global movement to accelerate holistic landscape restoration via our 4 Returns framework.
Where we work
The world’s ecosystems are degrading at an unprecedented pace. We support partners in over 20 countries to restore landscapes. Together, we create worldwide impact.
- Landscape
Zoom in
Zoom out
Our approach: 4 Returns
We offer a practical, holistic approach to landscape restoration that everyone can understand and use: the 4 Returns framework. This approach delivers returns to all landscape stakeholders: people, nature, communities and businesses.
Return of inspiration
Planting seeds of hope for a better future and giving PEOPLE a sense of purpose.
Social return
Bringing back jobs, education, and social connections: the building blocks of thriving COMMUNITIES.
Natural return
Restoring biodiversity for healthy and resilient landscapes: reviving NATURE.
Financial return
Creating long-term, sustainable income for communities: new BUSINESS models tailored to each landscape.
What is holistic landscape restoration?
Landscape restoration is the improvement of degraded land on a large scale. It rebuilds ecosystems and enhances people’s lives. Restoration aims to improve water quality, protect and restore biodiversity, and create healthier soil (and, in turn, healthier plants). To be successful, landscape restoration must be long-term and holistic. In other words, it must address the interests and needs of all local stakeholders over time.
Regenerative agriculture: a growing movement
Regenerative agriculture recognises that working with nature, rather than against it, is necessary for the long-term sustainability of life on our planet. While most conventional farming practices devastate biodiversity, regenerative agriculture positively impacts the health of the land. Find out more about regenerative agriculture by clicking the link below.
Join us to restore the planet we call home
Donate or Invest
Funding Commonland’s work means investing in our common future. We work with public and philanthropic funders and investors to offer our local partners access to funding opportunities.
Partner with us
We build long-term partnerships with a diverse range of partners from the local to the global level, to implement and scale holistic landscape restoration and protect our home planet.
Join our learning network
Join the 4 Returns learning network to connect with others working in landscape restoration all over the world. Access opportunities to learn from your peers, as well as qualified experts.
Explore our policy work
We collaborate with policymakers to drive forward integrated, multi-level policy frameworks that support holistic landscape restoration.
Featured articles
Explore Commonland's latest news, publications and events, and get inspired to restore the Earth.
The Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems Summit: trust is paramount for a true transition
For the second year running, the Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems Summit took place earlier this month in Amsterdam, bringing delegates together from across the sustainability and agriculture ...
Willem Ferwerda receives prestigious sustainability prize
Commonland CEO and founder, Willem Ferwerda, has received the Wubbo Ockels Brandaris Oeuvre Prize—an award for individuals who exhibit courage, perseverance, and imagination in their tireless dedica ...
Millets: an ancient crop for a resilient future
In the face of rising temperatures and a growing water crisis, India is looking to an ancient crop to play a role in the future of resilient and agroecological farming.
Rehabilitating a water catchment through landscape restoration
Living Lands provides examples of how to better manage areas for farming and for water catchment rehabilitation.