Society for Ecological Restoration Standards, Guidelines, and Principles

International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration, 2nd Edition

This groundbreaking publication provides updated and expanded guidance on the practice of ecological restoration. It clarifies the breadth of ecological restoration and linked environmental repair activities, and includes ideas and input from a diverse international group of restoration scientists and practitioners. The Standards are available in English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Portuguese.

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International Principles and Standards for the Ecological Restoration and Recovery of Mine Sites

The International Principles and Standards for the Ecological Restoration and Recovery of Mine Sites is a first-of-its-kind framework with standards for socially and environmentally responsible restoration in global mining activities.

These standards are designed to inspire and drive better restoration outcomes in mining landscapes.

 

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International Standards for Native Seeds in Ecological Restoration

The International Standards for Native Seeds in Ecological Restoration provides a pathway toward global best practices in native seed use, and gives seed buyers, end users, and funding bodies increased confidence when sourcing of quality native seeds.

This open access issue of Restoration Ecology presents a series of articles examining key steps in the native seed supply chain. Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

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Delivering restoration outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being: Resource guide to Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

This publication serves as a comprehensive resource guide to help countries implement Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF). Created for Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), SER, and other partners, it offers essential guidance, practical recommendations, and background information to maximize the impact of restoration efforts across various ecosystems.

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Standards of practice to guide ecosystem restoration: A contribution to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030

The publication presents over 300 recommendations and highlights key principles that are fundamental for long-term success across all types of ecosystems and restoration projects, from forests to oceans. It was developed in cooperation by SER, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Commission on Ecosystem Management of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN CEM) and 22 collaborative organizations.

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The Global Biodiversity Standard: Manual for Assessment and Best Practices

The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) ensures that tree planting, habitat restoration, and agroforestry practices enhance biodiversity. It combines global botanical expertise with local knowledge to evaluate restoration sites worldwide.

TGBS manual was developed collaboratively by diverse organizations including SER, BGCI, Plan Vivo Foundation, and CIFOR-ICRAF, bringing together biodiversity specialists, ecologists, sociologists, and certification agencies.

 

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

These best-practice 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 these guiding principles, designed to help create a shared vision of ecosystem restoration.

The full report is available in English, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Download the infographic in Spanish, French, or English.

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Restoration Project Information Sharing Framework

SER and Climate Focus, on behalf of the Global Restoration Observatory network formalized a sector-wide Restoration Project Information Sharing Framework: A resource for coordinated monitoring and reporting on ecosystem restoration.

This information sharing framework helps facilitate the coordination and sharing of project information to support global restoration monitoring, improve restoration practices, and track global progress and trends in ecosystem restoration.

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Restoration Guidelines for Shellfish Reefs

This publication on guidelines for restoration of shellfish reefs is a collaboration between SER and The Nature Conservancy. They are available in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese

These guidelines provide a foundational starting point for shellfish reef restoration, which is an integral part of ocean and coastal management globally. 

Editors of the publication include James Fitzsimons, Simon Branigan. Robert D. Brumbaugh, Tein McDonald, and Philine zu Ermgassen.

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