SER seeks to improve the quality of global restoration work through the development of a framework for restoration project certification. Once developed, this framework can be adapted to projects in a wide array of ecosystems and biomes with the potential to strongly facilitate high-quality restoration around the globe.

Mediterranean Forest Restoration Certification Pilot Project

SER is currently piloting an innovative certification program to verify the quality of field-based restoration projects for Mediterranean forest restoration in Spain. The first phase of this project began in 2021 and is set to run through 2023. If successful, SER hopes to expand this certification program to other ecosystems (e.g. other types of forests, biodiverse grasslands) and geographies worldwide.

This program will provide guidance, structure, and an auditing process for how to design, implement, and fund high quality ecological restoration in Mediterranean forests in order to achieve the greatest possible ecological and social outcomes. Through this program, we hope to develop and test a quality “seal of approval” for forest restoration, similar to, for example, organic produce certification.