SER is proud to be recognized as a Global Partner of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a joint initiative from the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) calling for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world for the benefits of people and nature. The Decade runs from 2021 – 2030, giving us ten years to build a global restoration movement and a sustainable future.

SER was one of the earliest global partners to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and our activities support the goals of the Decade to generate a global restoration movement, increase political will for restorative actions, and increase technical capacity for high-quality implementation.

Specific activities and initiatives we are undertaking that will help further both SER’s mission and the UN Decade include:

• Co-developing a set of 10 guiding principles for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration in collaboration with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Commission on Ecosystem Management (IUCN CEM) Ecosystem Restoration Thematic Group (ERTG) and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Best Practices Task Force. In 2022, we are continuing this partnership to develop Standards of Practice for the UN Decade based on the 10 principles. 
  
• Several members of the SER Science and Policy Committee, Board, and staff are participating in UN Decade Task Forces focused on monitoring and best practices. 
• Offering a cross-society joint Special Feature of Restoration Ecology (in partnership with the British Ecological Society journals). This first-of-its-kind, cross-journal, cross-society joint Special Feature is helping to disseminate new research and perspectives on restoration that address how best to capitalize on the UN Decade. Learn more and see the articles here. 
• Organizing an annual Global Make a Difference Week from with the goal of offering everyone a chance to participate in a hands-on restoration event in their community. Learn more about MADW and how you can participate!
  
• Hosting the Restoration Resource Center Project Database, to allow practitioners and researchers to see where, why, and how restoration is being implemented.
• Convening a global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to understand what actions are needed within SER and the broader restoration community to remove barriers and increase accessibility for participation by anyone interested in the field.
• Supporting our 4,000+ members in 100+ countries in their restoration work through an ever expanding set of educational and networking resources.
• Operationalizing the second edition of the SER International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration to support the delivery of high-quality restoration outcomes.
• Engaging in international policy to advance the use of ecological restoration as tool to address pressing issues related to biodiversity, climate change, desertification, sustainable development, and human health.
  
  

UN Decade Resources

Principles for Ecosystem Restoration to Guide the United Nations Decade 2021-2030

 

These principles are intended to guide the delivery of all aspects of the UN Decade, from international policy support to restoration implementation on the ground and in the water. SER was one of three lead partners in the development of the guiding principles designed to help create a shared vision of ecosystem restoration. These best-practice principles detail the essential tenets of ecosystem restoration that should be followed to maximize net gain for native biodiversity, ecosystem health and integrity, and human health and well-being, across all biomes, sectors and regions.

Download the full report (English)

Download the infographic in Spanish, French, or English

Make a Difference Week 

Launched in conjunction with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Make a Difference Week (MADW) is an annual global restoration volunteer event. Encouraging the restoration community to think globally and act locally, MADW events are organized by local hosts to involve the community in hands-on restoration activities taking place close to where they live, work, and play. In 2021, more than 3,000 volunteers took part in 144 events in 34 countries - we look forward to working with even more excited participants in 2022!

Learn More

How Can I Get Involved?

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration has the ambitious goal of not just stopping, but reversing the destruction of degradation of ecosystems everywhere. To achieve this goal, the Decade is designed to connect and empower the actions of anyone, anywhere interested in being part of the movement.

The Strategy for the Decade outlines a number of actions needed to overcome the barriers to achieving the vision of “A world where — for the health & wellbeing of all life on Earth & that of future generations — we have restored the relationship between humans & nature, by increasing the area of healthy ecosystems, & by putting a stop to their loss, fragmentation & degradation.” Ten of these actions are included in the infographic below. You can learn more by reading the Strategy here.

You can also show your support for the Decade and raise awareness by using (and adapting!) the Decade logo, visual identity, and social media cards. You can access those resources here.