Intense fires and incomparable weather patterns are causing devastation around the world. Every six seconds, the Earth loses a forest the size of a football pitch. More than a billion people rely on resources from forests and landscapes. As forests start to disappear and our landscapes are damaged, valuable resources like food and water become scarcer.
Man-made activities like construction, mining, drilling, farming, and forestry can also cause extensive damage to the land. For this reason, land rehabilitation is becoming essential to reduce environmental impact.
What is landscape rehabilitation?
Landscape rehabilitation takes place when damaged or degraded land is restored to its natural state. Rehabilitating land can include adding new plants, improving soil conditions, eliminating toxins and removing man-made structures. When land is rehabilitated, it can become a space where wildlife, flora, and people can feel safe and thrive.
As new environmental laws are introduced and businesses and communities become more environmentally conscious, the importance and impact of land rehabilitation is being recognised. Organisations looking to rehabilitate land should also consider using innovative solutions to become more sustainable.
Four steps to rehabilitate and restore land
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Sharing is caring
Just because there’s land does not mean it should be destroyed. Businesses located close to each other can put their resources together and invest in communal property. Sharing land can save money and protect the environment.
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Grow smartly
Instead of developing new land, businesses are encouraged to fix properties already equipped with necessary utilities, roads, infrastructure, and water, it’s environmentally friendly, minimises pollution and encourages businesses to use recycled materials.
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Understand natural environment
Consider the soil and climate before deciding on what plants to grow. Water-wise strategies should also inform decisions. Plants that are water-dependent should not be planted in drought-fuelled areas. Also, pay attention to erosion control. Inspections and regular maintenance can make a big difference. You don’t want to wait until the problem becomes too challenging to fix.
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Reuse and recycle
Each year, people create more than a billion tons of garbage around the world. This garbage can be recycled and reused. Businesses are encouraged to use recycled materials when building new developments. Doing so will also allow businesses to manage and strategise their waste.
Servest understands the importance of creating and maintaining beautiful and environmentally conscious landscapes and how the smallest contribution can make a positive change. Our work was honoured with 14 awards of excellence at the South African Landscapers Institute (SALI) awards in 2020. Get in touch with the expert team that starts all landscape projects with an environmental survey and assessment to ensure our solutions impact your triple bottom line.
