SER Statement on Protecting and Restoring Our Planet

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) reiterates our commitment to our mission to advance the science, practice, and policy of ecological restoration to sustain biodiversity, improve resilience in a changing climate, and re-establish an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and culture. As a membership organization, our collective mission and shared vision of a planet that enables both people and nature to thrive, has never been more important.

SER does not condone threats to nature, science, or the related public interest anywhere across the world. Ecological restoration is an incredibly important tool to address the global challenge of climate change and also to maximize the delivery of other ecosystem services like flood control, water and food security, and others that are critical to human survival and well-being, as well as for economic progress. Nearly every global report related to climate asserts that coordinated and committed efforts within the next 5 to 10 years are critical to reducing the impacts of climate change.

Recent actions that could reverse decades of environmental progress are deeply alarming, which elevates the importance of the restoration work each of you do, every day. Given the close link between the health of natural ecosystems and social-economic stability, we urge the public and private sectors across the world to continue supporting and implementing effective ecological restoration.

For those directly affected by recent actions, including those who have lost funding or employment, we encourage you to stay a part of the SER community through our Open Doors or Equity membership options. In 2020, SER introduced the Open Doors membership to ensure that financial barriers don’t prevent anyone from participating. This membership offers the same benefits as all other individual memberships, and SER is proud to welcome hundreds of Open Doors members each year. If you cannot afford to maintain your Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) status, please contact us for assistance. SER also offers a Jobs Board with listings relevant to our membership.

The need for unity in protecting and restoring our planet has never been more pressing. Together, SER members form a global community committed to a common mission. Your restoration work makes a difference for both people and the planet by enabling respect for the environment, inspiring change, empowering communities, and creating sustainable options for future generations. Thank you for being part of this community, and thank you for all that you do.