Strengthening Post-Restoration Governance for Lasting Recovery

A governance meeting at the Il-Motiok community land restoration site.

Restoration work across Il-motiok, Koija and Morupusi community lands in partnership with the Wyss Academy for Nature is moving to a more deliberate post-restoration management phase - with communities identifying actions required to ensure expected outcomes are achieved.

A post-governance review process across five restoration sites — Tabarua and Lashaki in Ilmotiok, Loika and the Lentir women-led site in Koija, and Lorubae in Morupusi shows signs of recovery, with intact semi-circular bunds, grass reseeding and natural regeneration in some sites.

This review process brought together 101 participants, including 53 women and 58 youth, who identified practical priorities which will include repairing the semi-circular bunds, fencing, expanding reseeding, controlling invasive species and improving gully rehabilitation.

Despite pressures from drought, livestock and wildlife pressure, invasive species and damaged restoration structures that are slowing down recovery, communities are working to care for the restoration sites sustaining restoration beyond initial implementation.

Communities across the restoration sites are keen to own the restoration process and are on the frontline to repair the semicircular bunds, put up fencing construction and maintenance to safeguard the bunds, carryout gully rehabilitation, and invasive species control. This willingness to contribute to the restoration of the community land provides a strong foundation for community-led post-management.