Charred tree trunks stand guard over eroded soil from which it seems nothings will ever grow again. But even in this desolate landscape, nature is working. The earth grows moist with rain and as the vegetation decays, nutrients return to the ground. In the warmth of the sun, weeds sprout and their roots hold firm. As the soil prepares itself for better times, shrubs and bushes join in the task of renewing the land.
Pine trees spring up, their needles blanketing the soil with nourishing mulch.
With trees for homes and shade, birds and animals return to the land, bringing with them spores and seeds for more growth. As the years go on, the wonders of the lost forest bloom again in the new one. The continual cycling of water, nitrogen and minerals through the plants and land is a clear demonstration of regeneration. In gardening and farming, regeneration involves our making the most of the physical and natural resources that exist within the garden or farm itself. These are called internal resources.