Eden Again

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In 2001, the United Nations' Environmental Program issued a report detailing, in its own words, "one of the world's greatest environmental disasters" - the desiccation of the Mesopotamian Marshlands. In response, the Iraq Foundation initiated the Eden Again project to promote their restoration. Working from outside Iraq, the founders of the project volunteered their labor to lobby international governments to take action.

In 2002, only 5% of the marshlands were remaining but we did not lose hope for their return. The Eden Again project began to assemble a group of international experts to evaluate the potential for restoration of the marshes. Their scientific decision was unanimous - the marshlands could and should be restored. These experts helped the project develop planning documents that could be used by the Iraqi people if and when they decided to reverse this devastation.

In 2003, the Iraqi people began to restore water flow to the marshes, and the Eden Again project moved to Iraq to help them make restoration a reality. What we found in Iraq was mile after mile of barren, desiccated soil, poverty and suffering. We found a people torn by decades of war. We also found small areas where the marsh dwellers themselves had reflooded the dried earth and begun to rebuild their habitat and their lives.

By mid-2004, the marsh dwellers have reflooded about 40% of the former marshlands. Possibly 40,000 people have returned to the reflooded areas to resume their traditional lifestyle and practice their centuries-old culture. Some of the re-flooded areas have experienced lush regrowth of vegetation; other areas have not recovered as well. Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources has declared restoration of the marshes its highest priority, and has established the Center for Restoration of the Iraqi Marshlands (CRIM) to achieve this goal.

The Eden Again Project is well-established in the marshes, and is working closely with the CRIM and with international donors and conservation groups to achieve a sustainable restoration that respects the unique ecology and culture of this area while improving the lives of its current inhabitants. We know that our efforts are supported by the good will of thousands of people worldwide, and we welcome you as part of our team. This section provides more information on the people and projects of Eden Again.