Regenerative Food Systems

Denmark Close up view of wheat in a field © Daniel Hansen

A Win-Win Cycle

Together we can turn one of today’s biggest challenges into our greatest opportunity—a food system that goes beyond sustainable and creates positive growth for communities, economies and the planet.

Learn About Our Approach

A person in a wet suit - half in water - smiles and holds up harvested seaweed in his hands.

With the Right Tools, Seaweed Can Be an Important Piece of the Climate Puzzle

The Nature Conservancy’s aquaculture scientists and collaborators are studying ways to ensure that seaweed as an aquaculture crop can realize its potential as a nature-positive food system.

Mar 12, 2024

Farmer carries a bunch of bananas through agroforestry system.

It’s Time to Embrace the Potential of Agroforestry as a Climate Solution

Adding native trees to agricultural lands not only supports biodiversity and improves farmer livelihoods—it can help address the climate crisis at a global scale.

Oct 02, 2023

Aerial photo of a coral reef sticking out of sun drenched waters in Indonesia.

10 Places to Watch in 2023 to See the Future of Conservation

Explore 10 amazing places and the innovative ways people are advancing conservation to fight climate change and biodiversity loss. The solutions can be as varied as the ecosystems themselves!

Jan 04, 2023

6-minute read time

a spread of brightly colored food and dinner plates on a table

Food Systems Should Be Central to Climate and Biodiversity Solutions

TNC's Global Director of Regenerative Food Systems Saswati Bora urges policy makers to keep food systems at the center while investing in climate and biodiversity solutions.

By Saswati Bora | Oct 21, 2022

Photo of commercial fisherman Kurt Martin on his boat docked in Massachusetts.

Climate-Ready Fisheries Can Restore Ocean Health

Explore how fisheries staff at The Nature Conservancy are using science and collaborative projects to ensure healthy oceans and climate-ready fisheries in North America and around the world.

hands adjusting a clump of seaweed on a green rope in shallow water

Aquaculture Critical for Feeding the World in a Changing Climate

With land-based food production already stretched and the global population continuing to grow, the sea provides crucial opportunities for resilience and adaptation

Jan 25, 2022

Photo of two hands outstretched holding two dozen brown and green seeds.

Saving the Gran Chaco

As the window of opportunity to tackle climate change narrows, new approaches are emerging for food production in Argentina's Gran Chaco region.

Dec 09, 2021

a concentric illustration of natural and human elements and the year '2021'

A Year in Review: 2021 in Five Trends

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but here’s how the past year could affect the critical decade ahead.

Dec 07, 2021

Regenerating the Gran Chaco

A regenerative food system can help restore depleted soils in South America’s second-largest forest, creating positive change for communities, economies and wildlife.

Oct 01, 2021

a woman harvesting tea at a hilly tea plantation in Kenya

Foodscapes for People and Nature

Mapping the diversity of food production around the world to inform food systems transformation

two people walk through a field toward a patch of trees on a small farm in Brazil.

Restore the Amazon? Small Farmers Are Key

Changes in small farming practices could reverse deforestation and raise incomes in the region—here’s how we can make that happen.

By Ian Thompson | Aug 31, 2021

A man plants a tree seedling in the Mantiqueira region of Brazil

Nature Needs Latin America’s Leadership This Decade

Our region will play a key role in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises—and regenerative agriculture can help.

Jun 09, 2021

A Sprint to Develop an Actionable Investment Thesis for Soil Health

The collaborative aspect of the Agility Lab enabled the Northwoods team to build collaboration and discover new, creative ways to approach the solution for carbon markets in their region.

By Renée Vassilos | May 21, 2021

the sun shines through a net of frozen tuna as its lifted off a large, blue fishing vessel

Shedding Light on the Sea to Save It

A multi-billion dollar seafood company is working with conservationists to increase tuna transparency—two of their leaders share why.

Mar 05, 2021

Three Things to Know About Nature-Based Solutions for Agriculture

The UN FAO, TNC share policy and finance pathways for healthier food systems—plus the state of the science.

Feb 10, 2021

a group of fishers on small boats in the port of Ancón, Peru

A Healthy Ocean Depends on Sustainably Managed Fisheries

The Nature Conservancy brings innovative solutions and science to global fisheries challenges, ensuring healthy marine and freshwater ecosystems and thriving communities.

Jan 25, 2021

Getting Food Right for a Sustainable Amazon

Sustainable agriculture and other food production methods aim to strike a balance between environmental conservation and economic development in the Amazon.

Dec 10, 2020

Soils Revealed: an illustration of a crosscut of soil layers.

Solid Ground: Earth’s Soils Reveal Climate, Biodiversity & Food Security Solutions

A new mapping platform illustrates global soil carbon potential

By Deborah Bossio | Nov 30, 2020

a person's hand pictured at a dinner table with a variety of food.

The Food Industry Is Leaning Into Sustainability—But Consumers Still Want More

Amidst the global pandemic, new market analysis of corporate and consumer attitudes shows sustainability is now table stakes for the food sector.

Nov 19, 2020

A colorful composition of sliced-open colorful citrus, pomegranates, mangoes and pineapples.

The Global Food System is Ripe for Change

How today’s biggest threat to nature could become its best ally.

By Jennifer Morris | Oct 27, 2020

Soybeans planted into winter wheat stubble

A Sprint to Provide Key Data on Conservation Ag - Agility Lab

The collaborative aspect of the Agility Lab enabled the AgEvidence team to rapidly build a prototype, test, fail, and learn in a condensed amount of time.

By Stephen Wood | Sep 24, 2020

TNC works here on ecologically compatible forestry: working with forest landowners to demonstrate the connections between ecosystem health and economic return.

Our Best Climate Solution is Circular

Investing in circular value chains is one of the best things we can do to stop climate change.

Aug 26, 2020

sunset over body of water surrounded by trees

The Amazon Approaches Its Tipping Point

The world’s largest tropical rainforest is turning into a savanna—preventing further destruction requires urgent, multisector action.

Aug 20, 2020

Large piles of vegetables on display at a fresh market.

Beyond Sustainable: A Food System to Restore The Planet

Food production is the top threat to nature--a regenerative system can change that.

By Michael Doane | Jun 29, 2020

Soils host a quarter of our planet’s biodiversity.

We Really Are What We Eat

Cattle ranching can be hard on the land, the water, and the atmosphere. But it doesn't have to be; biodiversity is the key.

May 04, 2020

Dung beetles crawl the ground at Tiger Creek Preserve

Like to Eat? Then You Need to Care About Biodiversity...and the Dung Beetle

The dung beetle is a vital link between biodiversity and agriculture. Agriculture can, and must, be the leading edge of a solution.

May 04, 2020

to the African oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) on Manuelita's Altamira palm oil farm in the Colombian Llanos.

The World’s Eyes Are Watching Colombia’s Orinoquia

Colombia is looking to its vast tropical savanna, known as Orinoquia, to fuel rapid economic growth by satisfying global demand for food.

Mar 19, 2020

An aerial view of agricultural fields around a river.

Human Nature—Visualized: How do we balance development and conservation on a finite planet?

Balancing the protection of nature with growing human needs will require careful planning—and a more complete understanding of how we are changing the planet.

Mar 04, 2020

Photo from ground level looking upward at wheat crops and sky.

Rethinking Soil, Reinvesting in Our Foundations

See how innovations in farming can protect our lands and waters and store carbon.

Jan 02, 2020

Latin America's Natural Resources and Climate Change

Latin America is a region rich in natural resources—and that makes it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

By Isabel Studer | Aug 18, 2019

Food and Agriculture Must Change—Business Will Be Part of the Solution

Feeding the planet without harming the environment will require doing more with less and finding common ground.

By Michael Doane | Apr 28, 2019

Cattle ranching in São Félix do Xingu, in the Brazilian Amazon.

Agricultural Growth and Habitat Preservation Can Coexist

Efforts to massively increase agricultural production can coexist, and indeed benefit from, the determination to prevent any further habitat loss.

A New Model of Sustainable Ranching Systems in Nicaragua

Climate change and weather variability can exacerbate poverty issues in Latin America, particularly in drier areas in rural Nicaragua. However, Grupo LALA is supporting the dairy sector with the implementation of projects to influence more efficient practices.

Industrial farmland surrounding cerrado habitat, Emas National Park, Brazil.

Hard News on Soft Commodities

A commitment to more transparent supply chains by soy traders could have significant impact in Brazil’s Cerrado region.

Mar 20, 2019

Made with ingredients from the milpa and Maya garden.

Cooking Up Solutions to Forest Sustainability

Our work across the Yucatan is demonstrating that increasing food production does not have to come at the expense of the world’s most precious forests and other natural habitats.

A lone tree stands in a field otherwise cleared of forest, surrounded by stands of trees.

Mono-a-Mono: The Threat of Today’s “Green Deserts” to Tomorrow’s Food Production

Over the past 50 years, the proportion of people suffering from hunger has been cut in half. Progress, yes, but not problem solved.

Feb 28, 2019

The Soil Science Imperative

Advancing solutions for our food, climate and ecosystems.

Jan 24, 2019

A view of skyline framed by trees in a park in Taipei.

Three Big Trends in Sustainable Business

TNC has a long history working with a variety of partners to achieve our conservation goals, including the private sector. Here are three trends in sustainability where business and nature can work together.

Jan 22, 2019

Healthy Rivers Lead to Healthy Communities

When river ecosystems are degraded, the greatest impact is often felt by the most vulnerable communities. But working with these communities to restore rivers can improve livelihoods.

Dec 19, 2018

The Cerrado of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.

Saving the Cerrado

Brazil's Cerrado ecosystem is massive, incredibly biodiverse—and threatened by an agricultural boom. Can a new agreement amongst private sector actors save this globally important landscape?

Nov 25, 2018

Transparency for Tuna

Global fish stocks are in decline, but a new tuna management scheme by the Federated States of Micronesia offers a blueprint for recovery. By working to manage half of the world’s skipjack tuna stocks sustainably, Pacific islanders are leading the way in ensuring that fish, and people, are protected for generations to come.

Oct 29, 2018

Sprawling Soy: Can a New Tool Help Manage the Crop’s Footprint?

Soy is a valuable commodity and staple in global food supplies—but it also has a growing footprint on many landscapes. A new tool aims to help farmers and businesses determine where they can plant soy to achieve minimal environmental and social impacts.

Apr 18, 2018

The Business Case for Healthy Agricultural Systems

We need to scale up the shift to healthy agricultural systems to restore the health of agricultural areas and their capacity to increase production.

Cattle ranching in São Félix do Xingu, in the Brazilian

Making Deforestation Free Supply Chains A Reality The Accountability Framework

A new framework aims to provide companies guidance on creating deforestation-free supply chains.

By David Cleary | Dec 06, 2017

Soil Management – A Foundational Strategy for Conservation

Soil is more than just a geological backdrop—healthy soil is the basis of all life and provides water, food, clean air, a stable climate and good health.

By Deborah Bossio | Nov 10, 2017

Four workers operate a boat with oyster equipment.

The Aquaculture Opportunity

Using science, collaboration and innovation to provide food for a growing population.

Sep 24, 2017

Sunset over the Wax Lake Delta and Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana.

Stopping The Cycle Of Dead Zones In The Gulf Of Mexico And Beyond

Nutrient runoff poses a threat to the Gulf of Mexico and similar ecosystems around the world. Fortunately, there are proven solutions.

Aug 03, 2017

Aerial views of the hardwood forest around the logging community of Noh Bec, Quintana Roo.

A New Roadmap for Conservation

How mapping technology is helping achieve sustainability in Mexico’s forests.

Jun 30, 2017

A man holds an iPad in front of his corn field

Precision Agriculture: Potential and Limits

Precision agriculture is an obvious change for the better for farming.

Mar 29, 2017

The Geopolitics of Environmental Challenges

The crises engulfing the modern world are complex. But one thing is clear: the environment is connected to all of them.

Mar 01, 2017

A rancher stands with cattle in a pasture.

Growing Our Way to a Healthier Climate

Latin American farmers can make a substantial contribution toward global food security as they grow their way to a healthier climate by locking carbon into the soil.

School garden at Arabia Mountain High School.

Like Water For Soil

Soil health and water security aren't distinct issues—they're inseparable.

By Deborah Bossio | Feb 09, 2017

Climate Change: How a Thirst for Soy Puts Latin America in the Eye of the Storm

The Nature Conservancy is working to implement deforestation-free production and sourcing in the soy and beef sector.

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Do We Even Know 'Sustainability' When We See It?

We must keep trying to define sustainability and, at a minimum, have it as a goal that we aspire to.

By Joe Kiesecker | Sep 30, 2016

Soil sampling a wetland in First State National Park, Delaware.

The Next Agriculture Revolution Is Under Our Feet

To meet the growing demand for food while strengthening the health of our communities, land, water and climate, we need to support innovation in soil health.

Aug 30, 2016

An irrigation canal divides green U.S. farmland and the dry Sonoran desert by the USA/Mexican border.

Driving Sustainable Water Management With Market Based Solutions

Significant changes must occur in how people’s needs are met and in our relationship with nature.

Aug 23, 2016

Dugout Ranch cattle on old pastures along Indian Creek with Bridger Jack Butte behind.

Sustainability and the U.S. Beef Supply Chain

The Nature Conservancy completed a comprehensive scientific review to better understand how the beef supply chain intersects with the environment and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Jul 29, 2016

Ancon on the coast of central Peru has agreed to adopt science-based measures that have led to better catches.

FishPath

FishPath is an engagement process and online decision-making application that the Conservancy and partners have developed to help select the best options for assessing and managing for any fishery in the world.

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