Unlocking the Power of Regenerative Grazing

About the Event

The third event of the Cross-Learning Series hosted by Knowledge for Great Green Wall Action (K4GGWA) will take a close look at rangelands and pastures, the ecological system that dominates the drylands of Africa and strongly supports rural livelihoods and local economies.

Grasslands cover a huge part of the Earth (up to 28%) and hold massive amounts of carbon. When they’re managed badly, it damages the climate, biodiversity, and local communities. We’re looking at Holistic Grazing Management (HGM), which mimics natural herd movements to make the land healthier, boost biodiversity, and make ranchers and pastoralists more productive and resilient.

Join top rangeland practitioners, insightful experts, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders from across Africa to discuss how to restore Africa’s iconic rangelands. You will experience a blend of expert insights and peer-to-peer learning through engaging breakout discussions.

Note: This is an online event with French – English simultaneous translation.

What to Expect

Understand the problems facing African grasslands
Learn the basic soil science behind good grazing
Hear from people actually doing this work
Get practical insights into HGM and how it helps the land and the people
See how HGM fits into the Great Green Wall initiatives
Get a chance to network and share experiences with peers across Africa
Build on insights from previous K4GGWA Cross-Learning sessions

Key Concepts

The Problem: Practices like ‘set stocking’ (leaving animals in the same plot for extended periods) degrades the soil – animals overgraze what they like and their manure fertilizes what they don’t. Fences and infrastructure block wildlife migrations.
Grass Power: Grasses are unique because they grow from the base, so they can survive being grazed, unlike most other plants.
How Good Grazing Works: If you let the grass rest after grazing, it rebuilds its roots and helps create rich soil. In nature, predators keep the herds moving, forcing this rest.
Two Effective Strategies:
- Nomadic Pastoralism: The old-school, effective way that mimics natural migrations.
- Holistic Grazing Management (HGM) / Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP): This is the modern, farm-scale way. You use small paddocks, graze them quickly, and then give them plenty of rest. This is what helps restore the land.
Big Deal: Managed grazing is now recognized as important by groups like the FAO and UN, and 2026 is even the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists!

👥 Speakers & Contributors

Rolf Shenton, Zambia – A “living legend” in land restoration, working directly with village communities.
Sidaty Oumar Sow, Senegal – A project manager focused on managing grazing in communal settings.
Benjamin Sellé, Djibouti – A rangeland practitioner working at the intersection of pastoralism, grazing systems, and dryland restoration.
Leshan Nampaso, Kenya – A Holistic Grazing Management trainer driving implementation in conservancies near the Maasai Mara.
Richard Kamukuenjandje, Namibia – An academic who transitioned into hands-on conservation work as a ranger.
Anna Daba Diouf, Senegal – A pastoral development practitioner supporting community-led rangeland and livestock initiatives.
Zvikomborero Tangawamira, Zimbabwe – An expert linking grazing practices to human and livestock health.
Chris Magero, Kenya & Germany – An economist introducing the economics of grazing-based livelihoods.
Fiona Flintan, International – An academic who developed Participatory Rangeland Management (PRM).
Burmaa Dashbel, Mongolia – Co-Chair of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026.
Patrick Worms – The moderator and presenter for the event and Senior Science Policy Advisor, CIFOR-ICRAF
Mieke Bourne – Lead, Regreening Africa, Co-lead, K4GGWA Program & Lead, Stakeholder Engagement with Evidence for Impact, CIFOR-ICRAF
Ibrahim Touré – Co-lead, K4GGWA Program & Country Representative Mali, CIFOR-ICRAF
Yeliz Mert – Restoration Engagement & Learning Consultant, CIFOR-ICRAF