Welcome to ERS, find out how you can get involved!
ERS is a Registered Charity No. 1118951 with the aim of fostering a global network of projects involved in repair of ecosystems, including planting trees to restore forests, cleaning polluted oceans and rivers, and reintroducing endangered species into the wild.
Our goal is to transform the increasing concern for environmental degradation into positive action, inspiring the world’s citizens to play their part in restoring the natural health of their own environments.
Our approach is proactive and practical, forming partnerships with schools, community groups, charities, NGOs, government agencies and businesses, to create a global alliance to address the challenge of restoring the earth.
Earth Restoration Challenge
"We have the physical resources and technically there is no reason why governments could not have enough money to initiate the repair and restoration of the planet's ecological lifelines. The most significant question is: Can such an undertaking attract the minds and hearts of literally hundreds of thousands of men and women who can grasp the vision of a new world, capable of sustaining humanity into the distant future? Without such men and women all technical solutions, no matter how correct, cannot succeed."
- Roger Limerick, The Fireweed Project
"From the ashes a fire shall be woken"
Reviving Lost Paradise
Endangered wildlife returns to tropical wasteland as conservationists work a natural 'miracle'
Six years ago the area around Samboja in Borneo was like much of the world's tropical rainforest: denuded. The trees had been cut for timber, the land burnt, and in place of what should be some of the richest biodiversity on the planet were thousands of acres of grass.
But from this ruined landscape a fresh forest has been grown, teeming with insects, birds and animals, and cooled by the return of moist clouds and rain. It is a feat that has been hailed by scientists and offers hope for disappearing and ruined rainforests around the world.
Read the article here
Latest School Tree Nurseries slide presentation - what has been done so far
Forests of Fame
Stars come down to earth to plant "Forest of Fame" on behalf of the Earth Restoration Service
Joanna Lumley said: "In many parts of the world forest restoration can be a stark choice between life and death. Urgent action is required, and I believe the work being done by Earth Restoration Service and their network of projects is of vital importance at this time. The tree I'm planting today is a symbol of my support for restoring the earth, and an invitation to others to help us." Joanna Lumley planted a tree at Green Park before attending a lunch held by ERS at the House of Lords hosted by Lord Walton of Detchant.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "By planting more of the right trees in the right place, we can make London a more attractive city and help the capital cope with the effects of a changing climate. This is an excellent project that encourages towns and cities across the world to plant trees to help tackle climate change and I wish Earth Restoration Service the best of luck in progressing it."
Thomas A. Becket Middle School planting 800 trees!
What an inspiration! The Thomas A. Becket Middle School in Worthing planted out a tree nursery containing 800 trees between 5-10 December 2007. Each child has labelled their own tree, adding their name around the saplings. This programme has been managed by Polly Wise from the school - she says the programme has really motivated parents, teachers, children, the mayor of Worthing and the local MP! Now we will wait for Spring to watch the trees sparkle. These native trees will be planted out to regenerate and benefit the local environment in and around Worthing.
School Tree Nurseries - positive news from Ecuador
This past month, the Tree Nursery School children have had an introductory course to one of the earth’s elements: soil. Together, they established a compost box, and started learning basic information concerning nutrients, after which they were initiated to the soil test. In the nursery, there are over three hundred seedlings, of Caoba, Pachaco, Guanabana and Papaya, and they are still waiting for the coffee seeds. Furthermore, they were able to plant Aguacatillo seeds, a native hard-wood tree! More information on our Ecuadorian programme
here
Helping Hands Restore the Earth
Getting our hands dirty to help the Earth is just what nature needs, according to children at Ysgol y Dderi in Llangybi, Ceredigion. Two years ago, the enthusiastic wildlife-loving pupils collected local seed and raised them in the school’s garden nursery. This March, their project took the next step when they planted the young saplings in the grounds with all the tender loving care of new parents. They also plan to donate some of their ‘offspring’ to a local community woodland project.
Deputy Head, Mrs Mary Davies said:
"The children really enjoyed planting the trees, which they can watch grow every year. Having grown them from seeds, this is the next stage in creating a woodland environment for outdoor activities and the enjoyment of the local community. We are particularly grateful to Angie Polkey, of the Earth Restoration Service (ERS), who provided guidance and materials to protect the trees."
The ERS sponsors tree planting by schools around the world, so that children can gain practical environmental education by planting seedlings and helping to maintain a tree nursery. Year 4 pupil, Rhiannon Newitt, described her experience:
“First we had to make a big hole. Then we chose our tree and put it in. We put the soil back, put a cane in and wrapped a tree guard around. Then we put a mat around the tree to help store water and keep the grass from growing while the tree’s a baby. I enjoyed it a lot because it was really fun and you learn more about nature.”
The children’s efforts also contribute to a worldwide tree planting campaign by the United Nations Environment Programme, which aims to engage people everywhere in the issue of climate change by planting at least one billion trees during 2007.
Greening the desert in Jordan - Geoff Lawton. Within four months they had figs in the most arid region in the world - two kilometers from the Dead Sea. Watch the film and get inspired!