Our Approach
Our general approach is simple: use whatever means we have at our disposal to protect the natural world from human-caused degradation. However, this means different things in different places. Sometimes it means protecting land and doing nothing with it, allowing nature to heal and rewild on its own terms. Sometimes it involves assisted rewilding in which we offer a helping hand by partnering with ecologists, Tribes, and local communities to remove dams to free rivers and streams, reintroduce species that have been extirpated, or clean up pollution. Other scenarios call for more intentional human engagement, whether that means intensive restoration to repair deeply damaged ecosystems, conducting hands-on educational campaigns to build connections between human and more-than-human communities, or helping to facilitate indigenous access to culturally significant sites.
Ecological Priorities
Our priorities for protection include areas that host high levels of biodiversity (estuaries, wetlands, temperate rainforests, coastal ecosystems), threatened/endangered species habitat, and ecosystems that are good at sequestering carbon (such as old-growth forest, wetlands, and peatlands). Every place protected is a potential island of refuge for wildlife and a potential sink for carbon.
Community Involvement and Partnerships
We believe that safeguarding the natural world requires collaboration with local communities, ecologists, and indigenous groups. By actively engaging with these partners, we hope to ensure that our conservation initiatives are rooted in local knowledge and make a positive impact.
Educational Initiatives
Education has been the cornerstone of Fertile Ground's work since our inception, and it remains foundational in our conservation work. Our workshops, guided tours, and online resources aim to raise awareness about conservation issues, promote ecological literacy, and inspire a sense of connection with the more-than-human.
Volunteer Opportunities
When appropriate, our conservation projects provide opportunities for volunteers to actively contribute to restoration activities or support our educational initiatives. Whether you're passionate about hands-on conservation work or eager to participate in community outreach, there are various ways for individuals to get involved and make a meaningful impact in this work.
Our priorities for protection include areas that host high levels of biodiversity (estuaries, wetlands, temperate rainforests, coastal ecosystems), threatened/endangered species habitat, and ecosystems that are good at sequestering carbon (such as old-growth forest, wetlands, and peatlands). Every place protected is a potential island of refuge for wildlife and a potential sink for carbon.
Community Involvement and Partnerships
We believe that safeguarding the natural world requires collaboration with local communities, ecologists, and indigenous groups. By actively engaging with these partners, we hope to ensure that our conservation initiatives are rooted in local knowledge and make a positive impact.
Educational Initiatives
Education has been the cornerstone of Fertile Ground's work since our inception, and it remains foundational in our conservation work. Our workshops, guided tours, and online resources aim to raise awareness about conservation issues, promote ecological literacy, and inspire a sense of connection with the more-than-human.
Volunteer Opportunities
When appropriate, our conservation projects provide opportunities for volunteers to actively contribute to restoration activities or support our educational initiatives. Whether you're passionate about hands-on conservation work or eager to participate in community outreach, there are various ways for individuals to get involved and make a meaningful impact in this work.