Connecting Science with Conservation

SER is the principal organization internationally dedicated entirely to the science and practice of ecological restoration as a tool for conserving biological diversity.  SER believes that active restoration of damaged ecosystems in combination with preservation and management of key natural areas will be needed to maintain native biological diversity and function in most ecosystems in the coming century

 

The USDA Forest Service is a natural resource agency dedicated to the sustained management of the nation’s natural resources and service to people. Managing public lands in national forests and grasslands, it is the largest forestry research organization in the world, and provides technical and financial assistance to state and private forestry agencies. The Forest Service is responsible for managing habitat to maintain populations of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and other species of plants and animals on national forests and grasslands. The agency is involved in acquiring, developing and disseminating up-to-date information on the status, distribution, population trends, ecology, conservation needs, and stewardship of these species and habitats to accomplish needed management and conserve natural resources. 

 

Mutual Goals, Mutual Benefits 

The Forest Service and Society for Ecological Restoration International have a history of partnership and collaboration on a wide range of projects devoted to restoration of disturbed ecosystems as a tool for conserving biological diversity and providing for healthy forests.  Society for Ecological Restoration International has worked with the Forest Service nationally to provide guidance and support for forest planning, to restore disturbed ecosystems and manage native ecosystems, to conserve threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, and to research ecological restoration issues relevant to National Forest System management.

 

Recognizing the opportunity to expand on these collaborations, in 2006, the Forest Service and Society for Ecological Restoration International are signing a service-wide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU provides a framework for cooperation between the two organizations to help achieve our mutual goals of ensuring the sound management of the nation’s national forests and grasslands, and protecting the biological resources essential so these lands and waters may be sustained, in addition to the invaluable ecosystem services that healthy and naturally functioning ecosystems provide.

A Track Record of Collaboration

The SER Network

 

·         SER and Forest Service partners have collaborated for over ten years in participating in annual meetings of the Society for Ecological Restoration International. Many Forest Service employees have utilized the resources of SER to help achieve the restoration of disturbed ecosystems.

·         SER members have provided valuable training in restoration ecology and management techniques and through their publication Restoration Ecology available to Forest Service personnel through the NAL’s Digitop web site.

Mutual Interests and Partnership Opportunities

The new MOU between the Forest Service and Society for Ecological Restoration International provides a framework for expanding collaborations related to the restoration, conservation and management of native ecosystems.

SER Strengths:

·         SER is the flagship coordinating organization for ecosystem restoration, and provides expertise and supportive facilitation to address Forest Service management issues such as habitat restoration and management of ecosystems and the biodiversity that depends upon healthy environments.

·         SER is a willing partner in initiating and facilitating cooperative efforts with the U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, non-government organizations, and private industry to complete restoration efforts in a collaborative and cost-effective manner. 

·         The Forest Service and SER can work together nationally, regionally, and locally to identify and support priorities for research, education, and management that will meet mutual objectives for species conservation and public outreach,  through the our mutual collaboration.

 

Project areas of mutual interest to USFS and SER include:

 

·         Healthy Forests

USFS wildlife habitat restoration enhancement projects can be developed, with collaboration from SER members, to ensure that fuel levels are reduced in forests while ensuring that essential ecosystem functions are provided through habitat restoration with native plant materials, including eliminating invasive species and increasing restored native ecosystems.

 

·         Invasive Species

Invasive Species of plants and animals are threats to native ecosystems that will require increased collaboration across all institutions.  SER partners and members are working together with the Forest Service to eliminate invasive species and restore these disturbed habitats with native plant materials.  Projects to evaluate, monitor, and educate the public about the negative consequences of invasive species in native ecosystems are being developed with the Forest Service with support from SER members and other partners. 

 

·         Conservation and Management of biological diversity and healthy native ecosystems

USFS and SER may work together to reduce the negative impacts of historic land use. This may include the restoration of habitats in which rare species suffer depletion due to degradation of habitat.  USFS and SER members and partners have ample opportunities to develop collaborative research that would focus on particular disturbed ecosystems, such as southwestern ponderosa pine ecosystems.

 

·         Resource Valuation and Use

Healthy restored ecosystems are invaluable for the environmental services they provide society. Economically, these services contribute to the production of clean water, clean air, forest and grassland products including timber, medicines, dyes and resins.

 

Contact Information

Society for Ecological Restoration International has demonstrated a unique ability to coordinate strategic projects and raise public awareness concerning restoration of disturbed native ecosystems in order to provide the conservation and management of biological diversity. Forest Service staff are encouraged to contact the Society for Ecological Restoration International at their headquarters in Tucson, AZ at the below contact for more information.  SER manages an informative website that provides information and links to cover restoration ecology, current issues, upcoming training opportunities, resource materials and networking with experts in restoration of disturbed native ecosystems. Forest Service national forest, research laboratories, and state and private forestry offices are located in most states; contact information is available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/aboutus/national.shtml.