From Seed to Forest: What Thorough Reforestation Requires | Reforest the Future Summit

What does it really take to restore a forest—from seed collection and site preparation to monitoring, finance, and long-term stewardship? This panel from the Reforest the Future Summit explores the full reforestation journey. Speakers discuss the science, systems, policies, and partnerships needed to move beyond planting trees and build healthy, resilient forests that deliver benefits for people, climate, and biodiversity. Featuring: • Damien Kuhn, Chief Forestry Officer, Terraformation — moderator • Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, Chief Science Officer, Rubicon Carbon • Charles Sarpong Duah, Senior Manager, Ghana Forestry Commission • Hilary Franz, President and CEO, American Forests • Todd Apo, CEO, ʻIole CHAPTERS 00:00 What thorough reforestation requires 02:49 Panel introductions 04:05 Science, forests, and long-term outcomes 05:47 Ghana’s restoration experience 08:09 Restoration finance and implementation 11:31 Measuring progress and impact 17:01 What makes restoration projects durable 20:45 Country-level examples and incentives 25:26 Funding, policy, and local context 31:56 Adapting restoration to place 40:35 Long-term planning 43:58 Audience questions 49:32 Policy, species, and scale 53:50 Closing reflections #Reforestation #ForestRestoration #ClimateAction #NatureRestoration