Abstract
This paper examines the most significant challenges currently faced by forest landscape restoration projects and explores successful solutions to these, which have been identified and utilised by teams working at the forefront of the field. Drawing on the experiences of forest restoration practitioners operating across a range of projects supported by the Trillion Trees ReForest Fund, and complemented by a literature review, this work identified three core challenges: land-use pressures, climate change, and financing restoration efforts. The paper examines how community engagement and the opportunity cost of land use are key to ensuring project success long-term. It then explores how climate change-induced changes in seasonal conditions and the increasing frequency of climate-driven events are impacting project planning and outcomes. Finally, the paper discusses the need to move beyond donor-driven approaches towards sustainable financial strategies, and emphasises the importance of realistic budgeting for the true cost of high-quality restoration. Case studies from projects within the ReForest Fund portfolio of high-quality forest restoration projects present real-world examples of these restoration challenges, offering insights, actionable responses, and mitigation strategies. By bridging theory and practice, this paper highlights both the common obstacles faced by project teams and the solutions developed to implement and advance effective and sustainable forest landscape restoration.
This paper is currently a working draft and will be published in full in early 2026.
