Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) is a low-cost reforestation method used in arid to semi-arid regions that works on small established native shrubs and trees aiming to accelerate the reforestation process. During our 3-day hands-on introduction to FMNR, we will learn by doing: identifying and learning to prune shrubs into future trees using the FMNR technique. Through collective action on two south-facing slopes, we work to restore drought-affected land while experiencing natural regeneration as practice.

Sessions are from 0900h-1300h each day, and volunteers can join as many sessions as they wish.

• 7 Nov: Introduction & hands-on experience.
  • Welcome & framing: short intro to the land and FMNR, why pruning helps small shrubs grow into trees, and how this supports the drought affected ecosystem with natural regeneration.
  • Guided identification, pruning and safety on the first south-facing slope. Volunteers work in small groups, supervised, with hands-on instruction.
  • Group reflection: What did we notice in the land, bushes, soil?
• 15 Nov: Deepening of FMNR Practice
  • Welcome & Quick recap of FMNR principles & safety with pruning.
  • Practical pruning on the second slope, volunteers rotate between tasks (cutting, clearing branches, observing). Focus on technique, care, and noticing ecological feedback.
  • Sharing circle : how does it feel to work with rather than against the land?
• 21 Nov: Consolidation & Celebration
  • Welcome & reminder of principles & goals of FMNR
  • Final round of pruning and collective care : balancing, shaping, observing small micro-changes between slopes
  • Closing circle: harvest of learnings, what FMNR can mean for personal action/practice and wider regeneration.