Steven Heller on Growing Up Underground
Steven Heller on Growing Up Underground
Wed, Mar 29, 2023 6:00 PM EDT (-04:00)
Free
Actions Panel
THE FOREST UNDERGROUND: HOPE FOR A PLANET IN CRISIS
Land & ecosystem degradation reversal. Protect & rehabilitate watersheds, increase carbon storage & recovery of native biodiversity & crops
By Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.
When and where
Date and time
Wed, May 25, 2022 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM PDT
Location
Online
About this event
Farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) is a low-cost, sustainable land restoration technique used to increase both food and timber production, and resilience to climate extremes. It involves the systematic regeneration and management of trees and shrubs from tree stumps, roots and seeds.FMNR adapts centuries-old methods of woodland management, called coppicing and pollarding, to produce continuous tree-growth for fuel, building materials, food and fodder without the need for frequent and costly replanting. On farmland, selected trees are trimmed and pruned to maximise growth while promoting optimal growing conditions for annual crops (such as access to water and sunlight). When FMNR trees are integrated into crops and grazing pastures there is an increase in crop yields, soil fertility and organic matter, soil moisture and leaf fodder.FMNR returns degraded croplands and grazing lands to productivity, it can be used to restore degraded forests, thereby reversing biodiversity loss and reducing vulnerability to climate change. There is also a decrease in wind and heat damage, and soil erosion.
It is a way to enhance the agricultural land with a supply of ecosystem services that have been depleted by land degradation. It is a means to protect and restore watersheds, increase carbon storage, and recover native biodiversity resulting in increased crop yields with this low cost method.
FMNR was developed by the Australian agricultural economist Tony Rinaudo in the 1980s in West Africa.
Tony Rinaudo received his Bachelor’s Degree, Rural Science University of New England Australia, and agronomy through the University of Armidale as well as attending the Bible College of New Zealand (Diploma in Bible and Missions). Rinaudo is known for putting forward a deforestation management practice known as farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR). Following his marriage they ended up for 18 years in Niger, Africa which Rinaudo described as a “moonscape.” Though many tree planting methods were tried the degraded land and the population were facing desert like conditions, famine, disease and drought. Though these degraded conditions exist, without resources for sustaining life FMNR provides sustainable land regeneration to restore Africa’s uplands. Through FMNR, a means of pruning and management, the underground forest of roots catalyzed into trees above ground. Rinaudo worked with local farmers in Niger in the transformation of hectares of dry land. He has worked as the Principal Natural Resources Advisor for World Vision Australia, and is currently the Senior Climate Action Advisor. Rinaudo is recognized for both his environmental and humanitarian approaches for global initiatives.
Rinaudo was the 2018 Laureate of the Right Livelihood Award and bestowed the Member of the Order of Australia. Rinaudo, the “alternative Nobel” winner was portrayed in a documentary “Forest Maker” created by German director and film maker Volker Schlöndorff’ Following the making of the film, a panel session went into the FMNR approach, and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87889360196?pwd=UHpSaHd6dndITXd0UkxwZlozeUJMQT09
Meeting ID: 878 8936 0196
Passcode: 001729
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,87889360196#,,,,*001729# US (New York)
+16699009128,,87889360196#,,,,*001729# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 878 8936 0196
Passcode: 001729
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbivUtwUBD
Tony Rinaudo, BSc AM. Agronomist, Senior Climate Advisor World Vision, Forest Maker, Famine Fighter. Rinaudo is an Australian agronomist who has pioneered and championed a simple method to grow trees in dry and degraded lands. He has empowered and inspired a farmer led movement across continents, regreening the lands, improving the livelihoods of millions and helping to combat biodiversity loss and climate change.
We along with Tony Rinaudo are excited to let you know that his new autobiography The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis, will be published on April 30th 2022 by ISCAST–Christians in Science and Technology – see media release, first chapter sample, and product info sheet attached. FMNR video release
Tags
About the organizer
Organized by
Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.Support the non profit group The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc
Your contributions to support our mission are greatly appreciated by residents of Saskatoon and surrounding area who enjoy the forest, these local parks, wetlands and green spaces.
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. not – for – profit incorporation has five charitable purposes as follows;
1/ To protect the environment for the benefit of the public by conserving or restoring ecosystems and biodiversity on a long-term basis at the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, which were preserved in perpetuity by City of Saskatoon Council in 1972.
2/ To protect the environment for the benefit of the public by reducing pollution and by cleaning up illegal trash dumping in the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas through addressing land dump sites and monitoring wetlands and greenspaces for instances of illegal dumping
3/ To provide public amenities by maintaining the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas.
4/ To protect and preserve significant heritage sites by ensuring safety, restoring, developing, and maintaining the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas with a view to commemorating the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas and educating the public about it. Commemorate; honor and respect the past, celebrate the present and provide a legacy for the future.
5/ To receive and maintain a fund or funds and to apply all or part of the principal and income therefrom, from time to time, to qualified donees as defined in subsection 149.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. is a not – for – profit incorporation registered with the Information Services Canada (ISC) Saskatchewan, under entity number 102084283.
The initial goals are to increase the safety and preservation of the afforestation areas as outlined here.
As incorporated entities with an unique identity, Friends are governed by board members; and have customized organizational by-laws and letters patent. Friends work locally with the City of Saskatoon park superintendent, MVA guidance, and other park liaisons as designated by the park superintendent. In Ontario, there are many, many Friends of the Park organizations, working together collaboratively to achieve mutually beneficial objectives.