A builder and operator of hotels and hospitals across the West Coast, Chuck Horning is the chairman of Newport Federal and oversees the Telluride Ski & Golf Resort, which he acquired in 2003. With over 12,000 acres of ranch land in California and Hawaii, Chuck Horning is also dedicated to land restoration through strategies such as planting trees and restoring stream beds.
Whether land has been negatively impacted by human activity or by natural causes, there are actions people can take to reverse the damage and restore the land to its previous state.
- Create seed balls. Erosion, a common type of land degradation, strips away topsoil and makes it difficult or impossible for seeds to grow. However, by gathering native seeds, mixing them with sifted compost or planting soil and a small amount of clay, and dampening them just enough to keep their shape, plant life can be restored. Once the seed balls are formed, toss them where necessary just before the rainy season.
- Plant trees. Trees are an important part of a diverse, thriving ecosystem, and individuals planting trees for a land restoration project should consider the area’s terrain, soil depth, climate, and vegetation. Planting the right tree for the right area can not only help restore the land but also stop other issues from arising in the future.
- Improve stream health. Because streams and rivers contribute to the wellbeing of both animal and plant life, restoring and protecting them is especially important. For instance, develop a buffer zone of native grasses, shrubs, and trees to stabilize the bank and prevent runoff from polluting the water.
Whether land has been negatively impacted by human activity or by natural causes, there are actions people can take to reverse the damage and restore the land to its previous state.
- Create seed balls. Erosion, a common type of land degradation, strips away topsoil and makes it difficult or impossible for seeds to grow. However, by gathering native seeds, mixing them with sifted compost or planting soil and a small amount of clay, and dampening them just enough to keep their shape, plant life can be restored. Once the seed balls are formed, toss them where necessary just before the rainy season.
- Plant trees. Trees are an important part of a diverse, thriving ecosystem, and individuals planting trees for a land restoration project should consider the area’s terrain, soil depth, climate, and vegetation. Planting the right tree for the right area can not only help restore the land but also stop other issues from arising in the future.
- Improve stream health. Because streams and rivers contribute to the wellbeing of both animal and plant life, restoring and protecting them is especially important. For instance, develop a buffer zone of native grasses, shrubs, and trees to stabilize the bank and prevent runoff from polluting the water.