SER Restoration Resource Center (RRC)

Objectives of RRCs

·         To increase awareness of the role of Ecological Restoration as a tool for protecting biodiversity, increasing ecosystem resilience in the face of climate and global changes, and the sustainable provisioning of ecological goods and services vital to human well-being.

·         To raise SER’s profile as the preeminent international organization advocating ecological restoration by establishing a physical presence in regions (1) lacking the appropriate knowledge and expertise or (2) benefiting from external support and validation of restoration methods and techniques

·         To establish a global network of local, regional and national institutions, including academic and community-based organizations, under the auspices of SER and the GRN, predicated on the free exchange of ideas, educational materials, project case studies, etc.

·         To encourage applied research, community outreach and volunteer training for science-based ecological restoration projects, irrespective of scale, in accordance with the guidelines set out in SER foundation documents

SER’s Support of a RRC

In order to achieve the above objectives, an RRC may need specific types of support. These needs may differ according to the kinds of resources a potential RRC may already have.  Some examples of support that SER might offer include:

·         A designated RRC coordinator

·         Books, journals and other information sources (hardcopy and online access)

·         Computers, information technology and other equipment

·         Workshops and Best Practices training programs

·         Public outreach venues (website, listservs, online discussion forums)

·         Independent website

Criteria for RRC Eligibility

·         Must be officially recognized as a government, educational or non-profit organization within its country

·         Must have demonstrated substantial work in the field of Ecological Restoration

·         Must have capacity to service the region defined by the RRC

·         Must sign a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SER that is reviewed annually

·         Agrees to become an SER Affiliate (fees can be reduced or waived)

·         Must adopt in principle the following SER foundation documents:

1.      SER Primer on Ecological Restoration

2.      Guidelines for Ecological Restoration

3.      Ecological Restoration – a Means of Conserving Biodiversity and Sustaining Livelihoods

4.      SER Environmental Policies

RRC Performance Expectations

Maintain a centrally located public office - open and staffed during local working hours – to provide interested individuals with access to books, journals and other restoration related materials both online and in print

Undertake a local or regional analysis of environmental degradation and restoration activities: create a list of experts and organizations; outline government policies and funding opportunities; identify high priority habitats and ecosystems; build a database

Maintain an independent website with updated news and information on restoration activities including volunteer, job and funding opportunities, a calendar of events, contributions from the community, etc.

Coordinate and moderate discussions among high-priority stakeholders, experts and funders with the goal of developing and implementing science-based restoration projects

Participate in larger networks such as the GRN by exchanging information, submitting case studies, providing local or regional content, contributing to global databases, etc.

Carry out promotional campaigns highlighting the need for ecological restoration and the role of SER in the international ecological movement.

For more information, please email us info@ser.org