Supporting tests of novel ecological restoration methods through active restoration trials
We have been excited about innovation since the early days of Mossy Earth. This is what led us to invest in projects such as the kelp restoration trials using green gravel or the experimental trials in Benin that test the use of termites to reverse desertification. We created this fund to provide more opportunities for testing novel restoration techniques to improve the impact and cost effectiveness of restoration projects around the world.
This programme aims to drive innovation and enhance the cost-effectiveness of nature restoration by funding rigorous experimental trials of alternative ecological interventions. We believe methodical experimentation is both vital and underfunded so we are seeking to address this gap by offering small grants and guidance. The knowledge generated will be made easily and freely available online following open access and reproducible research principles. For the first grant cycle we have allocated a total of £60,000 of funding to the following project ideas
Latest application callApplicants are reviewed by a mixed panel of five scientists and practitioners and scored based on a few criteria…
There is a huge gap between current investment into nature restoration and what is needed to halt the decline of biodiversity and the degradation of our ecosystems (a gap of 700$ billion per year until 2030 is one estimate). Most of our work focuses on tackling this head on through targeted and cost effective ecological interventions but our efforts are just a drop in the ocean of what is needed. Innovation has the potential to reduce this gap. Even small improvements in the success rate or cost-effectiveness of an intervention can have a huge pay-off for nature if applied at a large scale by multiple organisations.
Running experiements on our coral project
The kind of gradual trial and error that we wish to promote is also something that ends up being neglected both by academic institutions and by conservation organisations. There are research questions that could have important practical implications if addressed but that would hardly represent the kind of scientific breakthrough that pushes an academic career forward. On the flip side, practitioners are pressured by many funders to focus on actions that deliver measurable results and, with limited training in statistics and experimental design, practitioners often lack the resources they would need to tackle these same questions.
A snail marked under UV light for tracking released snails
If you have any questions about the innovation programme please contact us at innovation@mossy.earth