Episode 5: How to Rehabilitate a Landscape—Lessons From Rwanda and the Great Barrier Reef
Akagera National Park in Rwanda, which underwent a massive rehabilitation effort starting in 2010 with the leadership of African Parks. Photo by Kathryn Romeyn.
Many causes of environmental destruction are rooted in human action. But as we find out in this episode, mankind can also be the driving force to revive some of the earth’s most damaged places. There are success stories from around the globe of ways landscapes have been almost completely rehabilitated, from Mozambique to Cambodia. Here, we focus on how two unique ecosystems, one in Rwanda and the other in Australia, have been reinvigorated.
A tent at Wilderness Safaris’ Magashi Camp in the north section of Akagera. Photo by Dana Allen.
First up, African Parks’ Jean-Paul Karinganire talks to us about how the nonprofit conservation and management company took a Rwandan wildlife refuge from post-genocide decimation—think few animals, no more carnivores, and an unstable relationship with the surrounding communities—to overwhelming success. Akagera National Park is now also home to Wilderness Safaris’ eco-sensitive yet radiant Magashi Camp, which Kathryn visited in late 2019.
Lady Elliot Island after conservationist Peter Gash and his team spent decades bringing it back to life. Photo courtesy of Lady Elliot Island.
We also speak with passionate changemaker and conservationist Peter Gash, the self-styled caretaker of Lady Elliot Island. Part of Australia’s southern Great Barrier Reef, the island was was nearly destroyed by guano harvesting in the 19th century. Peter’s relationship with the island—where he runs an incredibly environmentally friendly resort—has spanned 40 years, and he’s been nothing if not persistent in his quest to restore the island’s natural equilibrium.
Lady Elliot Island is now one of the best places in the world to dive with manta rays. Photo by Jeremy Somerville.
Listen to the episode for these fascinating stories, including some truly inspiring messages that hit on the importance of engaging community—whether it’s the locals who live nearby, or the travelers who visit and can take lessons home with them—and the power of collaboration to make a real difference. As Peter tells it, our planet has suffered near-death by a thousand cuts, and it’s up to human beings to help reverse the damage with a thousand—or more!—innovative band-aids. Follow @africanparksnetwork, @akagerapark, @wearewilderness, @visitrwanda_now, @ladyelliotislandecoresort and @queensland for gorgeous visuals to bring these tales to life.