Tony Rinaudo

Tony Rinaudo was born in the northern Victorian town of Wangaratta and raised in nearby Myrtleford.{{cite web|url=https://rightlivelihood.org/the-change-makers/find-a-laureate/tony-rinaudo/ | title=Tony Rinaudo - Right Livelihood | publisher=Right Livelihood | accessdate=2022-05-16}}

After completing high school he studied at University of New England, Armidale (Bachelor of Rural Science) and later at Bible College of New Zealand (Bible in Missions course).{{cite book| title=The Forest Underground | url=https://iscast.org/tfu/ | first=Tony | last=Rinaudo | publisher=ISCAST | date=2022 | isbn=0645067113}}

Following University and Bible College, Rinaudo served initially at a Farm School/Preparatory Bible College in Maradi, Niger and later in the Maradi Integrated Development Project with the Sudan Interior Mission, now known as SIM from 1981 to 1999.{{cite web | url=https://www.sightmagazine.com.au/features/10483-turning-deserts-into-farmland-how-an-australian-agronomist-has-employed-an-ancient-farming-practice-to-change-the-lives-of-millions | title=Turning deserts into farmland: how an Australian agronomist has employed an ancient farming practice to change the lives of millions | work= Sight Magazine |date=2018-10-03 | accessdate=2022-05-16}}

Since 1999 he has worked for World Vision Australia in several roles, initially as a Program Officer and now as Principal Climate Action Advisor.

Rinaudo is the subject of a 2022 documentary by German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff called 'The Forest Maker'.{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/en/documentary-the-forest-maker-portrays-a-reforestation-pioneer/a-61351798 | title=Documentary 'The Forest Maker' portrays a reforestation pioneer | first=Verena | last=Greb | publisher=Deutsche Welle | date=2022-04-05 | accessdate=2022-07-28 }}{{ cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18939192/characters/nm13749238 | title=The Forestmaker | work=IMDb | date=2022 | accessdate=2022-07-29}}{{cite web | url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/patra-spanou-film-boards-volker-schl%C3%B6ndorff-eco-documentary-exclusive/5170546.article | title=Patra Spanou Film boards Volker Schlöndorff eco-documentary (exclusive) | first=Martin | last=Blaney | work=Screen Daily | date=2022-05-14 | accessdate=2022-10-13 }} which was shown at the Film Without Borders film festival in Bad Saarow Germany 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.filmohnegrenzen.de/2022/08/15/und-alle-sind-gefragt-ohne-ausnahme-ein-gespraech-mit-volker-schloendorff/ | title=Und alle sind gefragt, ohne Ausnahme. Ein Gespräch mit Volker Schlöndorff | first=Ralf | last=Hermersdorfer |publisher=FILM OHNE GRENZEN (Films without borders) | date=2022| accessdate=2022-09-07}}

Rinaudo served as an agriculturalist and missionary with 'Serving in Mission' in Niger Republic from 1981 to 1999. There, he oversaw long-term rural development and periodic, large-scale relief programs. In this Sahel region of Niger, where tree-planting efforts were failing, he "discovered root systems remained alive underground, even in the harshest, desert-like landscapes. To encourage the 'underground forest' to grow into trees, he just needed to prune and manage the tree shoots. He inspired farmers to carry on this work over the years. Rinaudo's pioneering technique is called Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, or FMNR."{{cite web|url=https://fmnrhub.com.au/ | title=Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration - FMNR Hub | publisher=World Vision Australia | accessdate=2022-05-16}} The FMNR website describes the technique as a "low-cost land restoration technique used to combat poverty and hunger amongst poor subsistence farmers by increasing food and timber production and resilience to climate extremes".{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/soul-search/the-forest-makers/13912134 | title=The forest makers – Tony Rinaudo and Ruth Jerotich | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=2022-06-06 | accessdate=2022-07-28 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-24/tony-rinaudo-forest-maker-fmnr-land-regeneration-africa/101189330 | title=Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo is turning African deserts into forests | first=Nicola | last=Heath| publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2022-07-24 | accessdate=2022-07-28 }} He consequently earned the nickname "the Forest Maker".{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/the-forest-maker/11773570 | title=Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo earned his nickname, "the forest-maker", from 35 years of ground breaking work in Africa. | first=Phillip | last=Adams | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=2019-12-18 | accessdate=2022-07-28 }} At the UN's global climate talks in Katowice, Poland, in 2018, it was recognised that "6M hectares of land have been regenerated under FMNR, totalling 240M trees [and that] the reforestation of the landscape can be seen on satellite images from space".{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/14/reforesting-world-australian-farmer-240m-trees | title=Reforesting the world: the Australian farmer with 240m trees to his name | work=The Guardian | first=Ben | last=Doherty | date= 2018-12-14 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}

Through these he contributed to a transformation in how Nigerians farm, and the reforesting of over six million hectares of land, which still inspires re-greening movements globally. For his 18 years' service to humanity and the environment, the government of Niger awarded him its highest honour for an expatriate "The Order of Agriculture with Merit" (Merite Agricole du Niger).

Since joining World Vision Australia in 1999, Rinaudo initiated and/or oversaw important land regeneration projects, worldwide. Serving now as Principal Climate Action Advisor, he promotes forestry and agro-forestry initiatives globally within the World Vision partnership, and beyond,{{cite web | url=https://www.frockup.com/post/the-man-and-method-transforming-our-planet----interview-with-tony-rinaudo | title=Regenerating Our Planet // Interview with Tony Rinaudo | work=FROCKUP | first=Sean | last=Ruse | date=2020-10-01 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}{{ cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61542168 | title=Why Africa couldn't get urgent global deal on drought | publisher=BBC | first=Navin Singh | last=Khadka |date=2022-05-24 | accessdate=2022-08-21}} for example in East Timor{{ cite web | url=https://www.theage.com.au/environment/the-tree-whisperer-20140421-36ze4.html | title=The tree whisperer | first=Mark | last=Baker | work=The Age | date=2014-04-26 | accessdate=2022-07-28}} and Ethiopia.{{ cite web | url=https://mg.co.za/environment/2021-06-14-over-exploitation-has-degraded-billions-of-hectares-of-land/ | title=Over-exploitation has degraded billions of hectares of land | work=Mail & Guardian South Africa | first=Tunicia | last=Phillips | date=2021-06-14 | accessdate=2022-08-21 }}

• Commandeur du Merit, Agricole awarded by the Government of Niger for his contribution to environmental restoration and services to humanity. This is the "highest decoration which Niger bestows on expatriates, for his contribution to environmental restoration and services to humanity".{{cite web |url=https://fmnrhub.com.au/tony-rinaudo-has-been-appointed-a-member-am-of-the-order-of-australia/ | title=Tony Rinaudo has been appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia! | work=FMFR | date=2019-01-29 | accessdate=2022-05-16}}
• 2018 Right Livelihood Award (Alternate Nobel) "for demonstrating on a large scale how drylands can be greened at minimal cost, improving the livelihoods of millions of people".{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/blessed-tree-regeneration-pioneer-tony-rinaudo-gets-global-gong-20180924-p505mi.html | title='Blessed': Tree regeneration pioneer Tony Rinaudo gets global gong | work=Sydney Morning Herald | first=Peter | last=Hannam | date=2018-09-24 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}
• Member (AM) of the Order of Australia, 2019, "For significant service to conservation as a pioneer in international reforestation programs".{{cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2003000 |title=Award Extract Anthony Thomas Rinaudo | publisher=Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet | accessdate=2022-05-16}}
• FMNR being recognised by the World Future Council under the Outstanding Practice in AgroEcology 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Global_Farmer-Managed-Natural-Regeneration-FMNR-1983-Factsheet-OPA-2019.pdf | title=Outstanding Practice in AgoEcology: FACTSHEET - Global – Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR, 1983) | publisher=World Future Council | accessdate=2022-05-17}}
• 24th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2021, awarded by the Chou, Ta-Kuan Cultural & Educational Foundation, Taiwan ROC{{ cite web | url=https://www.ta.org.tw/service.php?lang=en&view=&idept=21&isdept=24&pk=2268 | title=The Agricultural Genius—Tony Rinaudo | publisher=Chou, Ta-Kuan Cultural & Educational Foundation, Taiwan | date=2021-04-16 | accessdate=2023-03-22 }}{{cite web | url=https://news-ltn-com-tw.translate.goog/news/Taichung/paper/1555868?_x_tr_sl=zh-TW&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp | title=Nine winners of the Global Love of Life Award appeared to share | work=Liberty Times via Google Translate | date=2022-12-08 | accessdate=2023-03-22 }}{{ cite web | url=https://www-chinatimes-com.translate.goog/newspapers/20221208000516-260106?chdtv&_x_tr_sl=zh-TW&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp | title=Global Love of Life Medal 9 Winners Share Life Stories | work=China Times via Google Translate | date=2022-12-08 | accessdate=2023-03-22 }}
• Victorian 2024 Australian of the Year Nominee.{{Cite web |title=Anthony Rinaudo AM |url=https://australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/anthony-rinaudo-am |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=Australian of the Year |language=en}}

Rinaudo is listed as a contributor to natural resource management and conference speaker by organisations around the world:

• European Leadership Forum{{cite web | url=https://euroleadership.org/person/tony-rinaudo | title=Tony Rinaudo - European Leadership Forum | publisher=European Leadership Forum | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}
• Global Earth Repair Foundation{{cite web | url=https://globalearthrepairfoundation.org/tony-rinaudo/ | title=Tony Rinaudo | publisher=Global Earth Repair Foundation | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}
• Global Evergreening Alliance{{cite web | url=https://www.evergreening.org/tony-rinaudo-the-forest-maker/ | title=Tony Rinaudo: 'The Forest Maker' | publisher=Global Evergreening Alliance | date=2019-02-01 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}
• Global Landscapes Foruum{{cite web | url=https://events.globallandscapesforum.org/speaker/tony-rinaudo/ | title=Tony Rinaudo (speaker) | publisher=Global Landscapes Forum | date= | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}
• Initiatives of Change Switzerland{{cite web | url=https://www.iofc.ch/tony-rinaudo | title=Tony Rinaudo | publisher=Initiatives of Change Switzerland | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}
• Institute for the Study of Christianity in an Age of Science and Technology (ISCAST){{cite web | url=https://iscast.org/people/rinaudo-tony/ | title=Tony Rinaudo | publisher=ISCAST | accessdate=2023-08-22}}
• Permaculture Research Institute{{cite web | url=https://www.permaculturenews.org/2011/10/03/tony-rinaudo-against-the-odds-reversing-desertification-in-arid-and-semi-arid-lands-ipc-presentation-video/ | title=Tony Rinaudo: "Against the odds: Reversing desertification in arid and semi arid lands" (IPC Presentation – Video) | publisher = Permaculture Research Institute | first=Craig | last=Mackintosh | date=2011-10-03 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.permaculturenews.org/2013/08/14/its-a-forest-you-just-cant-see-it/ | title=It's a Forest, You Just Can't See It | publisher = Permaculture Research Institute | first=Jonathan | last=Gornall | date=2013-08-14 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}
• Reforestation World{{cite web | url=https://www.reforestationworld.org/voices/tony-rinaudo-principal-advisor-natural-resources-world-vision-australia | title=Tony Rinaudo, Principal Advisor Natural Resources at World Vision Australia | publisher=Reforestation World | accessdate=2022-07-29}}
• TEDx Sydney 2023{{cite web | url=https://2023.tedxsydney.com/speakers/tony-rinaudo/ | title=Tony Rinaudo - TEDx Sydney 2023 |publisher=TEDxSydney Limited |date=2023-09-01 | accessdate=2023-10-03}}
• The Blue Tribe Company{{cite web | url=https://bluetribe.co/episode12/ | title=Tony Rinaudo, The Forest Maker from World Vision | publisher=The Blue Tribe Company | first=James | last=McGregor | date=2020-02-24 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}
• United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs{{cite web | url=https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/farmer-managed-natural-regeneration-fmnr-technique-effectively-combat-poverty-and | title=Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR): a technique to effectively combat poverty and hunger through land and vegetation restoration | publisher=United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development | accessdate=2022-08-06 }}

• Autobiography The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis (2022) - ISCAST {{ISBN | 0645067113}}, {{ISBN | 978-0645067118}} (Awarded Australian Christian Book of the Year 2022{{cite web | url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/book-of-the-year-offers-hope-for-a-hurting-planet/ | title=Book of the year offers hope for a hurting planet | first=Rebecca | last=Abbott | work=Eternity News | date=2022-09-02 | accessdate=2022-09-02 }}{{ cite web | url=https://www.sightmagazine.com.au/news/26578-agronomist-s-autobiography-wins-australian-christian-book-of-the-year | title=Agronomist's autobiography wins Australian Christian Book of the Year |first=David |last=Adams |work=Sight Magazine | date=2022-09-02 | accessdate=2022-09-05 }}). The book is the subject of book reviews,{{cite web | url=https://sydneyanglicans.net/news/review-the-forest-underground-hope-for-a-planet-in-crisis/52472 | title=[Review] The Forest Underground: Hope for a planet in crisis | first=Judy | last=Adamson| work=Sydney Anglicans | date=2022-07-20 | accessdate=2022-07-28 }}{{cite web | url=https://tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/2022/05/tony-rinaudo-has-helped-millions-now-he-wants-to-inspire-the-next-generation/ | title=Tony Rinaudo has helped millions, now he wants to inspire the next generation | first=Stephen | last=Cauchi | work=The Melbourne Anglican | date=2022-05-03 | accessdate=2022-07-28 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.alpineobserver.com.au/community-news/rinaudos-alpine-tour-a-success | title=Rinaudo's alpine tour a success | first=Brodie | last=Everist| date=2022-08-30 | accessdate=2022-09-07}} a radio interview{{ cite web | url=https://hope1032.com.au/stories/faith/2022/the-forest-underground-and-the-tony-rinaudo-revolution/ | title=The Forest Underground and the Tony Rinaudo Revolution: Meet 'The Tree Whisperer' | first=Ben | last=McEachen | publisher=Hope 103.2 | date=2022-06-03 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }} and an interview in conservation news web portal Mongabay.{{cite web | url=https://news.mongabay.com/2022/08/let-it-grow-qa-with-reforestation-and-land-restoration-visionary-tony-rinaudo/ | title=Let it grow: Q&A with reforestation and land restoration visionary Tony Rinaudo | first=Eric | last=Hoffner | date=2022-08-17 | accessdate=2022-09-07}} After launching in Melbourne earlier in 2022, Rinaudo launched the book in his home region of north east Victoria on 21 August 2022.{{cite web| url=https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/7870097/myrtleford-tree-regeneration-pioneer-launches-autobiography-in-north-east/ | title=Tony Rinaudo AM presents book talks in Myrtleford, Bright and Wangaratta | work=The Border Mail | first=Victoria | last=Ellis | date=2022-08-22 | accessdate=2022-09-29 }} In 2023, an audiobook version of The Forest Underground, narrated by Tim Dehn, was produced and launched by ISCAST in partnership with the Australian audiobook production company, Voices of Today.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-08 |title=Celebrating the Audiobook Launch of "The Forest Underground" by Tony Rinaudo - ISCAST |url=https://iscast.org/news/celebrating-the-audiobook-launch-of-the-forest-underground-by-tony-rinaudo/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |language=en-AU}}
• eBook Unsere Bäume der Hoffnung (2021) - Rüffer & Rub Sachbuchverlag {{ISBN | 978-3-906304-66-3 }} Volker Schlöndorff (Préface), Tony Rinaudo (Auteur), Dennis Garrity (Auteur), Corinna von Ludwiger (Traduction){{cite book| url=https://ruefferundrub.ch/buecher/biografie/item/892-unsere-baeume-der-hoffnung | title=Unsere Bäume der Hoffnung |first1=Tony | last1=Rinaudo | first2=Dennis | last2=Garrity | translator-last1=Corinna | translator-last2=von Ludwiger | isbn=978-3-906304-66-3 | date=2021 | accessdate=2022-07-29 }}

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• Rinaudo, T (1992), The use of Australian Acacias in the Maradi Integrated Development Project, in House, APN and Harwood, CE (Editors), Australian Dry Zone Acacias for Human Food, pp. 82–92. Canberra, Australian Tree Seed Centre, CSIRO Division of Forestry. 145 pp.
• Rinaudo, T., Burt. M and Harwood, C. (1995). Growth and seed production of Australian Acacia species at Maradi, Niger. ACIAR For. Newsl. 19:1-2.
• Rinaudo, T. (2001). Utilizing the underground forest. Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration of trees. pp. 325–336. In: D. Pasternak and A. Schlissel (eds.), Combating Desertification with Plants. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York.
• Rinaudo, T; Patel, T. and Thompson, L.A.J. (2002), Potential of Australian Acacias in combating hunger in semi-arid lands, Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 161–169
• Rinaudo, T and Cunningham, P.J. (2008). Australian acacias as multi-purpose agro-forestry species for semi-arid regions of Africa. Muelleria 26(1): 79-85.
• Cunningham, P.; Nicholson, C.; Yaou, S.; Rinaudo, Tony; Harwood, Christopher (2008) Utilization of Australian acacias for improving food security and environmental sustainability in the Sahel, West Africa, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255457447
• Griffin, A.R.; Midgley,S.J.; Bush, D.; Cunningham, P.J.; Rinaudo, A.T. (2011), Global uses of Australian acacias – recent trends and future prospects, Diversity and Distributions, (Diversity Distrib.) 17, 837–847
• Tougiani A, Guero C, Rinaudo T (2009), Community mobilisation for improved livelihoods through tree crop management in Niger. GeoJournal 74:377-389
• Bacaller, S. with Rinaudo, T. (20 June 2023). The Forest Maker: In Conversation with Tony Rinaudo. Eureka Street online.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-30 |title=The forest maker: In conversation with Tony Rinaudo |url=https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/the-forest-maker-in-conversation-with-tony-rinaudo |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=Eureka Street |language=en}}

• Rinaudo, Tony (2023), An Underground Forest: a solution to restoring degraded land at our feet,{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bqRTW2aow | title=An Underground Forest: a solution to restoring degraded land at our feet | publisher=TEDxSydney | date=2023-11-02 | accessdate=2023-11-09}} TEDxSydney {{cite web | url=https://tedxsydney.com/ | title=TEDxSydney | accessdate=2023-11-09}}

• Johannes Dieterich (Editor) (2018), Tony Rinaudo - the Forest Maker, Rüffer & Rub Sachbuchverlag. {{ISBN | 3906304361}} {{ISBN | 978-3906304366}}

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Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Order of Australia

Category:Australian agriculturalists

Category:Australian missionaries

Category:Australian Christians

Category:People from Wangaratta

Category:University of New England (Australia) alumni