Australian agronomists Tony and Liz Rinaudo arrived at the edge of the Sahara in 1981 to plant trees. While contemplating the futility of their endeavours, Tony discovered an embarrassingly simple method of restoring degraded landscape without planting a single tree. Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), the sustainable system of land management that Tony pioneered, has revolutionised reforestation across Africa and beyond. Tony is a Right Livelihood Award Laureate and Principal Climate Action Advisor with World Vision.
For years, I have longed to see this biography written. And it lives up to my every hope. Having travelled with Tony I knew he was a magician of forests and a modern miracle worker of environmental regeneration. But because he is softly spoken and so humble it was difficult to fully piece together this extraordinary vision. Until now. From Sicilian family roots, settling in rural Victoria, this is a story of breathtaking global impact. Indeed, it may yet save us all! - Tim Costello AO CEO World Vision Australia 2004-2016 FMNR is probably the largest positive environmental transformation in the Sahel and, perhaps, in all of Africa. - Chris Reij Sustainable Land Management Specialist at the World Resources Institute Tony Rinaudo presents practical solutions to counter desertification, famine and despair. - Ole von Uexkull Executive Director at Right Livelihood No research program-no matter how well funded-would have come up with this idea, because it expertly combines the subtleties of location-specific tree selection with farmer-specific opportunities and constraints. - Richard Stirzaker Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO, Australia's national science agency This is a gift from Almighty God. Everywhere you visit you bring life and joy. - Yamdaan Zimbil Longmoate Chief of Yamenga, Ghana