Society for Ecological Restoration

Society for Ecological Restoration
Name	Society for Ecological Restoration
Founded	1988
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Key people	James Aronson (co-founder), André F. Clewell (co-founder)
Focus	Ecological restoration
Website	www.ser.org

Society for Ecological Restoration. The Society for Ecological Restoration is a global non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the science, practice, and policy of restoring degraded ecosystems. Founded in 1988 by a group of pioneering scientists and practitioners, it serves as a central hub for a diverse network of professionals, researchers, and community members. The organization promotes ecological restoration as a critical means to conserve biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and support human well-being in the face of global environmental change.

History and mission

The organization was formally established in 1988 following a seminal meeting in Madison, Wisconsin, with early leadership from figures like James Aronson and André F. Clewell. Its formation was driven by a growing recognition within the scientific community, including institutions like the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Smithsonian Institution, of the need for a dedicated professional body to address widespread habitat degradation. The core mission, as articulated in its founding documents, is to promote ecological restoration as a fundamental strategy for repairing damaged ecosystems and sustaining the health of the biosphere. This mission has been consistently advanced through efforts to synthesize knowledge from disciplines like conservation biology, landscape ecology, and environmental engineering.

Organizational structure and governance

Governance is overseen by an international Board of Directors elected by the membership, which includes representatives from academia, government agencies like the United States Forest Service, and private consultancies. Day-to-day operations are managed by a professional staff based in Washington, D.C., coordinating with various committees focused on areas such as science, policy, and education. The membership structure encompasses individual professionals, students, and institutional members from organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and various botanical gardens. Key governance documents and strategic direction are shaped through regular assemblies, including the biennial World Conference on Ecological Restoration.

Activities and programs

Core activities include organizing major international conferences, such as the series held in locations like Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, and Cape Town, South Africa, which facilitate knowledge exchange among thousands of delegates. The organization administers the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration, a seminal document providing a global framework for restoration projects from the Loess Plateau in China to the Everglades in Florida. It also runs professional certification programs, supports on-the-ground demonstration projects, and engages in advocacy with bodies like the United Nations Environment Programme to integrate restoration into global policy frameworks like the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

International chapters and partnerships

To support its global reach, it has fostered the development of numerous regional chapters and networks, including active groups in Canada, Australia, India, and the European Union. These chapters, such as SER Australasia and SER Europe, adapt global guidelines to local ecological and cultural contexts, working on issues from mangrove restoration in Southeast Asia to peatland recovery in the United Kingdom. Strategic partnerships are maintained with major international entities, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Global Environment Facility, and the Food and Agriculture Organization, to leverage resources and influence large-scale initiatives like the Bonn Challenge.

Publications and resources

The organization is a leading publisher of peer-reviewed scientific literature, most notably the journal Restoration Ecology, which disseminates critical research on topics ranging from tropical forest recovery to urban stream rehabilitation. It also produces the practitioner-oriented Ecological Restoration journal, along with technical notes, case study compilations, and the foundational text The SER International Primer on Ecological Restoration. These resources are used extensively by agencies like the U.S. Department of the Interior and educational institutions worldwide, forming a cornerstone of the discipline's academic and professional curriculum.

Impact and recognition

The organization has profoundly influenced the field by establishing professional standards that guide multi-billion dollar restoration efforts globally, including projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the Great Barrier Reef catchment. Its advocacy has been instrumental in shaping international policy, contributing to the inclusion of restoration targets in the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Paris Agreement. The society's work has been recognized through collaborations with prestigious awards bodies and its role as a key implementing partner for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, cementing its status as an authoritative voice in global environmental sustainability.

Category:Environmental organizations Category:Scientific societies