Restoring degraded forests can help ensure food security, protect watersheds, improve rural livelihoods, tackle climate change, and conserve biodiversity. Photo credit: Rainforest Action Network

This post was co-written with Stewart Maginnis, head of IUCN's Forest Conservation Programme.

This week in Washington, D.C., members of the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration (GPFLR) met to advance strategies to restore degraded forest landscapes around the world. Such restoration has the potential to bring millions of hectares of land back to lifea move that could help protect watersheds, ensure food security, improve the livelihoods of rural communities, tackle climate change, and conserve biodiversity.

Forest landscape restoration is the process of regaining ecological functions and enhancing human well-being in deforested and degraded forest landscapes. It can include integrating trees into agricultural lands, restoring tracts of trees amidst a mosaic of farms and villages, recovering vast areas of intact forests, and more. Restoration can involve varying degrees of human interventionranging from actively planting trees to allowing natural processes of forest succession to occurand many things in between.

In 2011, WRI, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and research partners published Landscapes of Opportunity, the first global assessment of where forest landscape restoration might be possible. This map helped build momentum toward the Bonn Challenge, a global commitment to start restoring 150 million hectaresan area twice the size of Spainof lost and degraded forests by 2020.

Since then, several nationsranging from the United States to Rwandahave made Bonn Challenge restoration pledges, with pledges from others on the way. What some nations are asking now isnt what restoration is or where it is possible, but how can it be done successfully?

To help answer this question, WRI and IUCN assessed more than 20 examples from around the globe of forest landscape restoration over the past 150 years, including both relative successes and failures. Examples came from countries such as Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Niger, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Sweden, Tanzania, and the United States. Lessons from these countries can not only provide insights into what works, but also inspire others to restore.

History tells us that large-scale forest landscape restoration is possible.

Costa Rica witnessed its tropical forest cover decline from 85 percent of its land area at the start of the 20th century to below 30 percent by 1987. Yet through a series of restoration effortssuch as innovative financing approaches, policy reforms, and technical assistance to landownersthe nations forest cover climbed back to about 50 percent by 2010. This significant restoration yielded a variety of benefitssuch as more forest products, ecotourism, and reduced soil erosionfor the nations environment, economy, and citizens.

South Korea restored its forests on a large scale after the Korean War. Between 1953 and 2007, forest cover expanded from 35 percent to 64 percent of the countrys total area, while its population doubled and its economy grew 300-fold. Those who say a country cant grow its economy and restore its forests at the same time havent been to South Korea.

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Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) December 11, 2013

Restoration Local, one of the leading providers of water damage repair and restoration in the United States, is offering tips to property owners on proper identification of the signs associated with water damage. Knowing what to look for and how to address it is an excellent way of avoiding serious and expensive water damage in homes and businesses.

Foundations should be checked for cracks due to stress, sub par construction, or low grade materials. Many older homes will have this problem although it is increasingly found in new home constructs as well. Any foundational crack can allow access to the home by groundwater, which also sets the stage for mold growth.

Roofs may also sag under the weight of water, snow, ice, or debris, and missing or damaged shingles and flashing means serious leakage into the attic area of the home. Sagging roofs may also collapse, risking injury to anyone standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sloping floors are a problem in older homes, sometimes with as much as a five inch degree of difference from one end of the home to the other. This may also be a sign of weakness in the homes supporting structures, so it is important to make sure that all floors are properly leveled following construction or repair.

Windows and doors may also suffer broken seals as a result of the home settling, allowing air and heat to escape. This drives up energy bills, as well as allowing water into the home. Similarly, siding can also be compromised, and as a result only durable, high quality siding should be used.

Water stains and mold growth are telltale signs of existing water damage, and the longer it remains unchecked, the greater the damage to the home will be. Based in Cleveland OH, Restoration Local is one of the leading providers of water damage restoration in the country, with contractors in 30 states, 24/7 availability, and same day emergency service in most cases.

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Restoration Local Offers Tips on Identifying Water Problems

Historic home preserved: Gingerbread details are the among the punch-list of restoration work done at this gothic Savin Hill Avenue home. Image courtesy Classical DetailsThe former home of Dorchester Days founding father, James H. Stark, has received a carefully-executed facelift.

Originally built in the mid-1870s by his father John Stark for James and his brother Frederick, the gothic duplex has been owned by only a handful of families over the years. Though not classified as a historic landmark by the Massachusetts Historical Committee, Savin Hill has been designated as a Boston Landmarks district, and the Stark home is undoubtedly an icon.

For the last three decades 252-254 Savin Hill Avenue has been owned by the Carney family who have spent the time and funds necessary to restore the historic home to its original splendor. Throughout their thirty-year stewardship, they have restored the homes decorative hardwood floors and its historic fireplace, among other projects.

While understanding the costs, weve still maintained the history, said Marta Carney, current resident of the iconic, double mansion.

Contractor Steve DeMeo of Classical Details has been responsible for the most recent restoration of the Gothic Revival home, which included painstaking work to replace the roofs gingerbread details. We did everything exactly as before, DeMeo said.

He and his team replaced the homes virgin barge boards, restored the bell flowers underneath, connected the gutter to the crown molding, rebuilt the skylight, and restored the homes gingerbread detailing. In addition, he did a lot of copper roof work, millwork, and dealt with lots of slate and copper difficult materials for contractors to work with.

He was an outstanding contractor, said Carney. She plans to use DeMeo and Classical Details for further restoration work in the spring.

In restoring the home while maintaining its original detailing, Carney and Classical Details are paying homage to Savin Hills rich history. The neighborhood was a 19th century vacation spot for city dwellers and morphed into a stable, middle class community.

According to the Massachusetts Historical Commission, long-term ownership of single-family homes is not uncommon in Savin Hill and the neighborhood avoided the subdivision of larger homes that occurred throughout other parts of Dorchester during the Great Depression.

Though examples of restored homes can be found all along Savin Hill Avenue and Grampian Way, the Stark double mansion is an beautiful piece of Savin Hills rich history, and thanks to the efforts of the Carney family its history will be maintained for several years to come.

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One of Savin Hill's iconic homes gets a facelift

Denver, CO (PRWEB) December 10, 2013

Members of Restoration Community Church will start their Christmas by serving breakfast to the homeless. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. on December 25th at Restoration Outreach Programs,1540 Boston St, Aurora, CO 80010. Restoration Community Church (RCC) is providing and serving breakfast to people who don't have a home to celebrate Christmas.

Members of Restoration Community Church will start their Christmas by serving breakfast to the homeless. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. on December 25th at Restoration Outreach Programs,1540 Boston St, Aurora, CO 80010. Restoration Community Church (RCC) is providing and serving breakfast to people who don't have a home to celebrate Christmas.

Restoration Community Church will partner with a ministry that regularly feeds the homeless; Restoration Outreach Programs. Everyone is welcome to join in serving the less fortunate on Christmas morning. RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary, via the RCC website. You can RSVP here.

This is RCCs fourth year of providing and serving breakfast on Christmas Day and Restoration Community Church members say it is the perfect way to begin the day that honors the greatest servant of all time.

About Restoration Community Church: Located in Denver, CO RCC is Christian-based church. RCCs vision is to see people transformed into the image of Christ. We believe that transformation comes when we extend ourselves on the behalf of others.

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview with RCC contact Mary Murphy at 303.619.1441.

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Restoration Community Church Members Celebrate Christmas by Serving the Homeless

Welcome to BobVila.com. I've spent my career helping people upgrade their homes and improve their lives. You may know me from TV, where I've hosted a variety of home renovation shows, including This Old House, Bob Vila's Home Again, Bob Vila, and Restore America with Bob Vila, and of course my appearances on Tim Allen's sitcom, Home Improvement, where I got to star as myself.

Before broadcasting, I ran my own home remodeling and design business. Before that I spent time building houses in Panama as a Peace Corps volunteer. I learned first hand about home renovation from my father, who hand-built our family home. I've written 12 books about home repair, home remodeling, buying your dream home, and visiting historic homes across America.

Whether you are planning a major or minor home improvement project or just taking care of basic home repairs, my team and I will give you the tools and information to get the job done right.

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Bob Vila - Home Improvement, Home Repair And Home Renovation

Thursday October 31, 2013

A new vanity in your bathroom can transform and freshen up the look your bathroom. In the tutorial How to Remove a Vanity I explain how to take out that old nasty vanity and prepare the space for a new cabinet style vanity.

In this partner tutorial How to Replace and Install a Bathroom Vanity I'll show you in detail and with photos, all the tricks you need for a professional sink vanity installation.

Monday October 28, 2013

This year seems to have flown by! I can't believe November is already around the corner.

As hard as you may try not to turn on the furnace, soon it will just become time. That means it's time to check and perform some maintenance of your furnace before the winter season kicks off. It's important to keep your furnace working properly. Not only is it essential for the safety and health of your family but also for the efficient operation of your furnace.

I'll explain how you can prepare for the coming cold weather in the tutorial Seasonal Furnace Maintenance. Just follow the simple tips I outline for seasonal maintenance on your furnace to help keep it running efficiently and safely. It's all in there, from furnace filter replacement to checking the fan belt and carbon monoxide testing.

Also, if you have an AprilAire Space-Gard 2200 or a unit with a similar deep pleated filter, see the tutorial AprilAire Furnace Filter Replacement.

Friday October 25, 2013

Temperatures are dropping as Fall hits mid-stride. That means you'll be turning your furnace on soon to take the edge off a chilly fall night. When your furnace fails to ignite it's not a good feeling so I want you to know how to diagnose and fix a faulty pilot and save hundreds of dollars in service calls.

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Home Repair - Maintaining and Repairing Your House

This House Is Your House: The Woody Guthrie Home Restoration Project
A campaign to help rebuild Woody Guthrie #39;s childhood home. Please visit http://www.thishouseisyourhouse.org for more information.

By: SnowboyFilms

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This House Is Your House: The Woody Guthrie Home Restoration Project - Video

Weyant Family Sandy Storm Home Restoration in Freeport, NY | George To The Rescue, bgccorp.com
Watch as the Weyant Family #39;s house is restored following the devastating Super Storm Sandy. Ben #39;s General Contracting Corp. was honored to be a part of the important rebuilding process in this...

By: nygeneralcontractor

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Weyant Family Sandy Storm Home Restoration in Freeport, NY | George To The Rescue, bgccorp.com - Video

Everly Brothers home restoration fundraiser on KMA 960
The Everly Brothers home restoration fundraising event was heard live on KMA radio in Shenandoah, Iowa Thursday, September 19th at the Depot Restaurant in fr...

By: TheKMAvideo

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Everly Brothers home restoration fundraiser on KMA 960 - Video

Corn Cob Blasting Log Home Restoration
For Log Home restoration, Corn Cob Blasting quickly and efficiently removes old stain. Corn Cob is a biodegradable and all-natural soft abrasive blast media ...

By: CompositionMaterials

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Corn Cob Blasting Log Home Restoration - Video