Nature-based Solutions: Ecosystem Restoration and Carbon Projects Training Course

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to help end poverty, address climate change, and prevent mass extinction — but its success depends on collective action. This course invites you to explore how you can contribute meaningfully to that global effort.

Ecosystem degradation is affecting every corner of the planet, from rainforests to coral reefs. According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, one of the decade’s key goals is to restore at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems so that biodiversity and ecosystem functions can recover. Meeting this target is a major challenge, with important implications for both ecological health and economic well-being.

There is encouraging momentum, with growing recognition of the importance of ecosystem restoration and the need for investment. At the same time, these efforts must be carefully designed, effectively implemented, and consistently monitored to achieve lasting results.

This in-depth training course provides the knowledge and practical tools needed to support ecosystem restoration and climate change mitigation. Combining classroom learning with field exercises in Guadarrama National Park, the program highlights the urgent issues at stake and the close relationship between healthy ecosystems and the limitation of global warming.

Participants will explore Preferred by Nature’s comprehensive ecosystem restoration approach, along with the main elements used to assess carbon initiatives, supported by international case studies from a range of ecosystems.

The training will take place on 9-12 June 2026 in Cercedilla (Madrid), Spain, within the influence zone of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. The detailed training event programme will be added later.

This course is delivered in English. Please make sure your language skills are sufficient for active participation in presentations, group exercises, discussions, and examinations.

Conditions for successful completion of the course

For participants who do not seek a qualification or accreditation, the final-day exam is optional. Even so, completing the exam is strongly recommended, as it supports a deeper understanding of the content and enhances the overall classroom learning experience.

Course fee and discount options

The fee for this four-day classroom course is 2,600 EURO, excluding accommodation and VAT. It includes tuition, training materials, and meals during the course, including coffee breaks and lunches.

An early bird discount of 10% is available with code EB10, reducing the price to 2,340 EURO for those who register and pay at least two months in advance. This offer is valid until 9 April 2026.

Additional discounts are available for NGOs, 20x20 initiative participants, the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration, UN Decade partners, FAO Task Force on Ecosystem Restoration Best Practices members, FSC Network Partners, and university or college staff and students. The discount rate is 30% for these groups, using code NGO30. Only one discount may be applied per participant, and all discounts are calculated from the full course fee.

Accommodation and practical information

The course venue is Casona de Navalmedio. After registration, participants will be contacted with travel logistics and requirements, as well as accommodation suggestions.

Cancellation

Cancellations are free of charge up to two weeks before the course begins. After that, a cancellation fee of 25% of the standard course fee will apply unless otherwise specified.