Community-driven restoration with lasting impact
Since 2018, Accelerated Restoration Collaborative (ARC) has been working with local field partners in Madagascar to restore degraded coastal ecosystems and empower surrounding communities. ARC’s mission is to accelerate ecosystem recovery through science-based, community-driven restoration.
Already, the results are visible. Local fishers are reporting the return of fish and shrimp, and families are beginning to benefit again from sustainable fishing. What sets ARC apart is its phased, layered approach: combining enrichment planting (boosting diversity and density in recovering forests) with first-time planting in degraded zones.
With Mahajanga city nearby, protecting these ecosystems is urgent. Forest guards and community monitoring teams are essential in ensuring deforestation is kept in check and that restored forests thrive.
This topic connects directly with our wider analysis of NGO partnerships and biodiversity governance.
The Ankilahila Coastal Restoration and Conservation Project
One of ARC’s most ambitious efforts, the Ankilahila Project focuses on restoring mangrove and dry forest ecosystems at the mouth of the Mahavavy River on Madagascar’s western coast.
This area is home to rare and fragile ecosystems — including dry deciduous forests, raffia bogs, sand dunes, and mangroves — which are vital for biodiversity, fisheries, and protecting coastal communities from storms and erosion.
“Our goal is not just to plant trees, but to build lasting capacity for communities to manage and benefit from their forests. Restoration should protect both nature and people. We’re extremely grateful for our partnership with Dots.eco to help us fulfill this goal”
— Steve, Founder of ARC
Ambitious goals for large-scale restoration
ARC’s current strategy will plant 500,000 mangroves per year over the next five years, representing 90% of the total restoration area. The remaining 10% focuses on dry forest planting. In total, more than 2.7 million stems will be planted in this phase.
This approach is designed to scale impact while ensuring local capacity, monitoring, and forest protection continue well beyond the initial planting.
Creating jobs and supporting communities
Restoration is not just about trees — it’s also about people. ARC creates steady jobs for local planters, guards, nursery staff, and monitors.
- A single part-time planter can plant around 5,000 mangroves monthly, offering nearly year-round employment.
- All hiring follows national standards, ensuring fair wages and direct community benefits.
- Beyond forests, ARC invests in clean water wells, a maternity center, and fuel-efficient stoves, extending the benefits of restoration to community health and daily life.
Dots.eco’s impact with ARC
Since partnering with ARC, Dots.eco has supported the planting of more than 260,000 mangrove propagules. Together, we’re helping scale up restoration, create jobs, and deliver measurable environmental benefits.
ARC’s work demonstrates how combining science, local knowledge, and community leadership can accelerate recovery while building resilience. We’re proud to be part of this mission in Madagascar.
Learn more
Follow ARC’s journey and explore their projects at arcrestoration.org.
