Opening Doors to Inspire and Enable the Next Generation 

When we restore ecosystems, we are – both literally and metaphorically – planting native species and trees under the shade of which we may never sit. Just as ecosystems are never static, constantly evolving, so too is our knowledge and understanding of restoration practice. Sharing this knowledge is at the heart of our mission at SER. We support and enable practitioners around the world through access to education, resources, and an unparalleled network of experts in over 130 countries.

Tall golden aspen trees in a thick forest in Colorado.

SER2025 provides a venue to build new connections and access this wealth of experience. For many, however, the cost of travel and participation is prohibitive. Often, those least able to attend are those most affected by land degradation and by the growing and most challenging impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.

For this reason, we established the SER Open Doors Travel Award in 2023. It provides funding for selected practitioners to attend our World Conference. This year, 22 exceptional individuals from 17 countries have received awards. Generously supported by our conference sponsors, the award covers registration and travel expenses.

While the Open Doors Travel Award recipients benefit from participating in SER2025, their presence equally enriches the event. They enhance the breadth and depth of perspectives from traditionally underrepresented groups, and help cultivate the next generation of restoration leaders.

Supporting the future by learning from the past

The Seven Generations Principle, believed to have originated from the Great Law of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, teaches that in our actions we should think ahead to their impact for the next seven generations. While we strive to protect and improve our planet today, we must look forward to those who will follow. But we must not forget to also look back, to those from whom we can continue to learn.

A herd of bison in a meadow.

The importance of Indigenous Knowledge and wisdom is well recognised in the restoration community, though not always widely incorporated into practice. Indigenous communities are estimated to manage at least a quarter of the world’s land surface. As we help lay the ground for the future, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

Drawing on Indigenous Knowledge Systems, practices and approaches is a powerful way to create a bridge for intergenerational partnerships. One of the ways SER enables these partnerships is through our 37 student associations. These were founded on the belief that nurturing the passion and interest of the next generation of restoration ecologists will spark the innovation, creativity, and determination needed to restore our planet.

Students from the University of Lagos (Nigeria) SER Student Association.

SER2025 offers young professionals and their mentors a forum to connect, learn, and gather insights to develop the ecologists of the future. The conference includes mentor-mentee sessions offering guidance for students and young professionals, including advice on how to get research published in academic journals, and networking sessions to foster life-long connections with like-minded peers.

Almost without exception, our Award recipients emphasise the essential social impacts of restoration with projects that draw on the rich and diverse insights of youth, women and Indigenous Knowledge-holders –  they demonstrate the critical value of harnessing the energy, passion, and history of local communities By learning from their work and applying it to our own, we can help accelerate and scale global restoration.