One of the places I went on vacation last week was The Wilds, a refuge for endangered wildlife. It’s crazy to see such vast, undeveloped land in southeastern Ohio but there we were, up close to zebras, camels, and bison roaming nearby. I even fed a giraffe!
The Wilds is a reclaimed strip mine, 10,000 acres of land that were donated after AEP cleaned out every last mineral that the area contained. As part of the reclamation process, AEP was required to put 8 inches of topsoil over the land (a task that I can’t imagine doing!). People discovered that prairie grass grew well with such shallow soil, but most trees could not establish roots. What do you do with 10,000 acres of grass? Create a space for the animals to graze! Bravo to the person who made that happen.
However, our guide pointed out that there is a difference between reclamation and restoration. Yes, the land is being used for something productive, but it is a far cry from being returned to its original state, even at the surface level.
I think organizations often practice reclamation — throwing minimal resources at a problem to cover it up with little effort, and deeming that it is sufficient. Not enough attention is paid to the long-term harm done or to consider what true restoration would take. Remember the difference if you strip your team of trust.
