SER Awards Program

The nominations period is currently closed.

Award Rules

SER Awards are presented in recognition of meritorious achievement and service for advancing the craft, knowledge, and public awareness of ecological restoration. Recipients may include Society members and non-members. Please read the individual award criteria carefully, as a nomination must meet these criteria to be considered.

Recipients of awards shall be selected by the Awards Committee. Selection shall be based on criteria and evaluation procedures established by the Awards Committee. Evaluation may be based upon publications, site visits, photographs, letters of recommendation from impartial referees, or any other appropriate evidence.

Awards shall be made on merit, and there shall be no obligation to make an award on a regular basis or to limit the number of awards presented on a given occasion. Ordinarily, awards shall be announced and presented at annual conferences. An Awards Committee member who is nominated for an award as an individual or as part of a group shall not participate in the Committee's deliberations on that nomination.

Awards and Criteria

THEODORE M. SPERRY AWARD

By this award, the Society honors individuals who have made a significant advancement to the science or technique used in restoration practices.

Criteria: Recipients must have demonstrated innovation and pioneering in one or more of the following categories:

·         Project Conceptualization, such as the development of a new approach to restoration;

·         Project Implementation, such as research and development in regard to restoration methods and tools;

·         Project Evaluation, such as the development of useful restoration criteria and standards; and

·         Public Involvement, such as the development of effective ways of integrating volunteers or involving the public in restoration programs.

Eligibility: Any individual or group of individuals are eligible; organizations are not eligible.

FULL CIRCLE AWARD

By this award, the Society acknowledges that indigenous people were the stewards of ecosystems in which they lived. Projects eligible for this award have brought ecosystems in a full circle and returned them to their condition prior to the impacts caused by non-indigenous peoples.

Criteria: Recipients must have demonstrated exceptional competence, knowledge and innovation in the following criteria:

·         Traditional Wisdom, such as all defined goals were set using wisdom imparted by indigenous peoples;

·         Project goals were complemented by non-indigenous knowledge and techniques;

·         Project goals were not superseded by non-indigenous knowledge and techniques; and

·         Indigenous people should have participated in efforts and be able to use the restored ecosystem in traditional ways.

Eligibility: A project of any individual or organization.

COMMUNICATION AWARD

By this award, the Society acknowledges the importance of all forms of communications that advance the goals of the Society.

Criteria: The nominee must have used one of the following forms of communication:

·         Print: books, published papers

·         Visual: Video, movies, exhibits and performing arts, etc.

·         Audio: Speeches, songs, educational material, etc.

·         Contributions that have made significant impact in theory, practice, or public awareness of restoration.

Qualifications for the Award:

·         Improve the quality of ecosystem restorations.

·         Increase the public awareness and acceptance of ecosystem restoration.

Eligibility: Any individual or organization.

JOHN RIEGER AWARD

By this award, the Society acknowledges its debt to those who have dedicated their time and skills to the advancement of ecological restoration and/or to the development of the Society.

Criteria: Recipients must have demonstrated meeting some, if not all, of the following attributes:

·         Major Contributions, such as those that further ecological restoration through the development of the Society for Ecological Restoration.

·         Contributions that have made significant impact in theory, practice, or public awareness of restoration.

Eligibility: Any individual or organization.