Episode 05: Restoring Degraded Landscapes: Regenerative Agroforestry & Greening the Desert with Neal Spackman, CEO of Regenerative Resources Co.

Neal Spackman, CEO of Regenerative Resources Co.

In this episode, we talk to Neal about his work transforming degraded landscapes through regenerative agroforestry. From the Al Baydha Project in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, where he worked alongside the Bedouin to convert deserts into savannas, to his current work establishing regenerative seawater agroforestry systems in Mexico and beyond, Neal brings a wealth of knowledge as well as a dose of inspiration for the ecological transformation that can be accomplished even in some of the most difficult environments. 

Topics covered in this episode:

• [01:35] Neal’s personal journey into regenerative ecosystems

• [07:35] Why, when, and where of desertification

• [18:53] Can we feed a world with regenerative agriculture?

• [25:58] Neal’s years as co-founder of the Al Baydha project in Saudi Arabia

• [36:13] Mangroves afforestation and developing regenerative seawater agroforestry systems

• [47:18] Regenerative Resources Co.’s business model and the challenges of financing regenerative projects more broadly

Want to learn more? Check out these resources:

• Regenerative Resources Co

• The Story of Al Baydha: A Regenerative Agriculture in the Saudi Desert

• Sustainable Design MasterClass - 150+ hours of webinars on YouTube

• Jevons paradox

• Book recommendations: Natural Capitalism, When the Rivers Run Dry, N. K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy

Neal can be reached at nealspackman@regenerativeresources.co

Episode recorded on: April 9, 2021