Dutch-Sino pioneers are "re-wilding" farmland in Yunnan forest, China
Yunnan Province, located in China’s southwest, is known for its picturesque plateaus and mountainous terrain. The region’s mild climate and abundant sunlight have long supported agriculture, but unsustainable farming practices on slopes have depleted forests, and worsened soil erosion, which is a significant issue which did result in rugged terrain and high rainfall.
ReWild Yunnan (绿野云南) is an ambitious reforestation project founded by Jan van der Knaap and Ding Zejun. Their mission? To answer a critical question: “How can we enhance biodiversity in farmland while supporting local communities?”
Zejun lead us to their first project that lies on the slopes of Qipan Mountain near Damoyu Village, northwest of Kunming, Yunnan’s capital. Once a citrus orchard, the land had become barren due to poor soil quality and challenging irrigation conditions. The owner, finding the land unproductive, leased it to the ReWild Yunnan team. For over two years now, they have planted about 400 young trees, carefully tagged and nurtured, as part of their vision to transform the degraded farmland into a thriving ecosystem.
What has ReWild Yunnan done up till now and what are they going to do?
Jan and Zejun, together with their team of volunteers, began by selecting over 20 native tree species with significant ecological benefits. These species were chosen after extensive investigations. Then the seeds were gathered from diverse sources in the wild to ensure genetic diversity, which increases resilience against pests and diseases.
After floating tests, the healthy seeds are sowed in the plugs, and seedlings are nurtured in a simple nursery until they reach 25–35cm in height. These vigorous young trees are then transplanted and cared for during two dry and two rainy seasons, ensuring they are strong enough to thrive independently.
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What ecological values may the different species have?
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Benefits for nature
The project is already yielding impressive ecological results:
- Enhanced Forest Coverage: Restoring vegetation helps to reduce soil erosion caused by heavy rains.
- Improved Water Retention: Healthier soil supports more robust plant growth.
- Wildlife Corridors: Reconnect habitats to allow animals, such as rodents, pheasants, and amphibians, to access water sources between Qipan Mountain and the Damoyu Reservoir.
- Biodiversity Restoration: Creating a balanced ecosystem that invites wildlife back.
A vision for a harmonious Human-Nature environment
From the start, ReWild Yunnan has prioritized collaboration with local villagers, governments, and organizations. By leasing degraded land, they provide a second chance for weakened orchards to regain productivity, potentially yielding better fruit harvests.
The project also raises awareness by showcasing reforestation as a nature-friendly and community-centric model. Corporations have been drawn to the site, hosting team-building events and activities, which generate income for the villagers through tourism and commercial opportunities.
ReWild Yunnan is now expanding its efforts, operating multiple bases across the region with the support of local communities and governments. These initiatives demonstrate the socio-economic and ecological benefits of rewilding, motivating locals to protect and sustain these rejuvenated forests for generations to come.
For more information and how you can contribute to the project, please visit the website of ReWild Yunnan.