The GeaSphere initiative, led by Phillip Owen, has a revolutionary approach to land restoration, climate action and the sustainable use of natural resources. By challenging unsustainable forestry practices and advocating for responsible land use, GeaSphere is promoting long-term thinking about environmental stewardship and resilience. The project has created employment for about 100 people. In a country with high unemployment rates, providing steady work and skill-building opportunities is invaluable in these communities. This also fosters environmental awareness, creating a shared sense of purpose in land restoration. Vast areas have been cleared of invasive species. This work not only revitalises the local ecosystems by allowing native plants to flourish again but also improves soil and water quality, creating a healthier environment for both wildlife and people. The team has pioneered biochar production, transforming biomass from invasive plants into charcoal. The biochar serves multiple purposes: sequestering carbon, enhancing soil health and offering the potential of a new revenue stream. Partnerships have been forged with organisations like Project Biome and secured government support through programmes such as the Social Employment Fund. The involvement of local communities in conservation and biochar initiatives has created a model for land stewardship that is community-driven and sustainable. Through an initiative called Heal, more than 12 000 wire snares were removed. GeaSphere has been able to amplify the conservation message, not only in Mpumalanga but across broader forums.
Greatest achievements
Every step taken — whether in removing a single invasive plant, creating jobs or producing a batch of biochar — contributes to a greater movement for change. Our greatest achievement lies in continuously evolving and inspiring a vision of restoration that encompasses both the land and its people.
What advice would you give to future generations?
To future generations, I’d say this: we are part of an interconnected web of life, and the diversity of that life is what keeps ecosystems — and our planet — functioning. We are consuming far too much, placing immense strain on Earth’s resources. We need to rethink our values, use less energy, buy fewer things, and seek satisfaction not in material goods, but in connection with nature and each other. This shift is especially critical in the developed world, where overconsumption is highest. By living more simply and respectfully, we can work to restore ecosystem integrity and foster a sense of community. In doing so, we nurture a future where all life can thrive