Projectportfolio
A selection of projects is shown here, ranging from small gardens to large-scale restoration.
Chris de Waard – Land Restoration & Climate Adaptation
“The best way to predict the future, is to create it.”
~
Abraham Lincoln
Ecological Designer and Consultant
As an ecological designer and consultant, I work at the intersection of spatial design and ecology. I lead projects where water, soil and planting mutually reinforce one another to restore balance and build lasting resilience – from climate-resilient gardens to large-scale land restoration in Spain, always with the goal of helping ecosystems thrive.
Hi, I’m Chris!
Founder of Ecology Academy. I have taught thousands of hours in ecological design and trained many students to become certified Ecological Garden Designers. Teaching and my project work made it clear that innovation is essential. The result? A focused online learning programme by Ecology Academy.
Ecological design & consultancy
Creating, supporting and enhancing lifeand living systems is what drives me. With a deep passion for ecosystems, plants and nature-based design principles, I bridge ecological theory and practice. Through design, ecology takes shape and comes to life.
Land restoration in Spain – drought & erosion
Alongside teaching, I work as an ecological consultant and designer. My focus is on restoring ecosystems, reversing desertification, promoting regenerative land use, and advising on soil, water and planting strategies to strengthen biodiversity. A significant part of my work is based in Spain, where I regenerate degraded land and enhance its resilience to drought and erosion.
Soil, water & climate adaptation
As an environmental and natural scientist with expertise in soil, water, planting, and climate adaptation, my strength lies in restoring and transforming degraded land into thriving, self-sustaining ecosystems – holistic, hands-on, and always site-specific. Driven by an irrepressible creative energy and the ability to translate vision into reality.
My projects include design, implementation, consultancy, and on-site assessments across diverse climate zones, with a particular focus on drought, heat stress, and water management — including dry and vulnerable regions. Each project demands tailor-made solutions and a deep understanding of natural processes — from planting design and erosion control to restoring water balance and soil health, guided by an ability to read hydration and fertility issues.
Sharing knowledge on natural, climate-resilient gardens
I can choose which restoration projects I devote my time to, but the greatest impact is achieved through education – when others take that knowledge and bring it to life in their own projects. Inspiring, teaching and and equipping others to apply ecological principles – that’s where change scales.
This made it clear how strong the need is for courses that genuinely helps in practice. That’s why I bring my experience and expertise together in the online courses and programmes of Ecology Academy. These comprehensive programmes give everyone access to directly applicable knowledge on water retention, resilient planting design and vegetation systems, helping to make gardens and landscapes more adaptive and self-sustaining.
From practice to knowledge: water, soil & planting
Ideas only gain meaning through implementation — both in the field and through knowledge sharing. In the courses, I translate ecological understanding and hands-on experience into clear, directly applicable steps. From rainwater harvesting and water storage to soil regeneration, planting design for drought and heat, erosion control and land restoration – always with an awareness of the larger ecosystem that connects it all.
Nature and land restoration on every piece of land
What drives me is the conviction that nature can return on any piece of land – large or small. Through Ecology Academy, I hope to contribute to a future where climate-aware thinking and ecological practice become second nature. Curious to see how it works? Explore Climate Logic, our signature course featuring step-by-step guides, tools and downloads.
And in the end, it’s simple: being able to do work that matters, to serve something greater, and to share that passion with others – that’s what makes all of this deeply rewarding.
Publications & International Contributions
More about my work is available on the Projects page and in professional publications in vakpublicaties:
- Erosion and Water Management Plan (published on SSRN (Elsevier) | Zenodo | Academia.edu)
- • Ecological Restoration Plan (publication on ResearchGate to follow in February 2026)
View all my publications on Academia.edu.
Projects are also featured on international platforms: Behance (Adobe’s international portfolio platform), Restor (the global platform for ecological restoration projects) en Permaculture Global (the network of the Permaculture Research Institute).
Want to know more about me? Check out the general FAQs or visit my LinkedIn profile.
Questions about Chris de Waard
Chris is an expert in land restoration, water systems, soil improvement, and climate-resilient design & implementation.
His expertise also includes planting strategies – from species selection to plant compositions that strengthen ecological coherence, soil health and biodiversity.
His work spans larger private gardens to extensive restoration sites, with experience across a range of climate zones, including Spain (drought, erosion, heat stress).
His approach is system-oriented and practice-based, with water and soil as the starting point and attuned to the local ecology.
The next step is the planting, selected to suit the conditions and promote ecosystem recovery. Direct support and guidance throughout the realisation process is possible — from gardens to extensive sites, across Europe, particularly in Spain.
Projects are listed on the Ecology Academy Projects page and featured on international platforms such as Behance, Restor and Permaculture Global.
For an overview of professional publications, please also visit Academia.edu.
Projects
Explore real-world examples of ecological restoration and climate adaptation—from design to implementation and management. Click through for objectives, approach, implementation and outcomes.
In Ecology Academy’s projects, ecological design becomes tangible. Ecological design enables all elements—energy, water, plants and soil—to work together efficiently, whilst respecting the interactions between all living things and their relationship with the environment. A delicate dance of co-existence, where everything is connected: from a site’s character and uniqueness to the geometry of the design and the choice of plant guilds. The result is symmetry, synergy, resilience and a stronger connection with life.
Every project is unique. Nothing is certain—and everything is possible. Apply knowledge, dare to experiment—with powerful results.
Water System Design
Design and realisation of water systems: storage, infiltration, retention.
Ontwikkelde opleidingen
Ontwikkeling van ecologische opleidingen met erkend NLQF-niveau.
Services
Activities include design, consultancy and site visits across different climate zones. The focus is on ecosystem restoration, land regeneration, water management, soil improvement, planting, and increasing biodiversity.
For special projects – such as combating desertification, land restoration, regenerative land use, food forests and larger development projects – please get in touch.
You can also contact Chris de Waard for training or coaching. See the Consultancy page for more information.
Contact
Would you like to know more about Ecology Academy? Please check the general FAQs first.
About Chris de Waard? Read more here or on LinkedIn.
Do you have a project or need specialist expertise? Want to know more? Discover more on the Consultancy page. Or ask your question.
Please use the Contactform. Or reach us via info@ecology.academy or +31 6 29 555 131.