Our Work
Photo: Fauna & Flora
Our vision
Our vision is for a future with landscapes and seascapes in which populations of wild animals and plants flourish, where there is space for the natural functioning of ecological processes, where the cultural, social and economic values of nature to people are supported and respected, and where nature and people are resilient to ecological shocks and stresses such as climate change.
Our mission
Our mission is to support partners to restore Europe’s landscapes and seascapes to deliver functional and connected ecosystems which benefit the social, cultural, and economic values of nature.
Our strategy
Our strategy is composed of five pillars, outlined below. The full strategy can be found on our resources page.
1. Funding restoration
Landscape restoration requires funding over the long-term: ecosystems and species populations may take decades to recover; co-development with local communities and landowners may be a slow process; and complex legal, institutional, and economic barriers may need to be overcome. Diverse funding that initiates and sustains the restoration process is critical to success. We fund inspirational restoration projects, provide grants for planning future landscape and seascape restoration initiatives, and explore with projects finance mechanisms that will support restoration in the long-term.
2. Exchanging knowledge
Recognising that there is a wealth of expertise across the projects we support, and within the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI), we are building a community of practitioners for landscape and seascape restoration, facilitating networking and the exchange of information and experience between grantees and CCI partners. Through this we enhance the ability of individuals and organisations to carry out effective restoration, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and resources they need.
3. Science-based restoration
The restoration projects that we support take an evidence-based approach that is informed by scientific research, restoration practice, and the experience of local communities. We support projects to carefully monitor the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of their restoration activities, to increase effectiveness and demonstrate the multiple benefits of restoration.
4. Amplifying our impact
Landscape and seascape restoration is needed at an unprecedented scale if targets for biodiversity, climate and sustainable development are to be met. Through our showcase of projects and network of experienced restoration professionals we are working to influence policy and practice to help amplify the programme’s impact to meet those targets at local, national, and global scales.
5. Inspiring action
The projects that we support provide inspiring examples which show that the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change are not inevitable. Our projects prove that actions can be taken that reverse the decline in health of some of our most vital landscapes and seascapes, whilst our Artist Residencies help to explore peoples’ connection to place and nature and inspire local involvement in restoration.