The Global Restoration Network (GRN) - a project of the Society for Ecological Restoration International - offers the field of ecological restoration a new database and web-based portal to trustworthy and hard-to-find information on all aspects of restoration, from historic ecosystems and recent causes of degradation to in-depth case studies and proven restoration techniques. The overriding mission of the GRN is to link restoration projects, research, and practitioners in order to foster the creative exchange of experience, vision and expertise.

The field of ecological restoration is currently experiencing an explosion of ideas and practices as the number of experts and practitioners increases, and more and more restoration projects are being undertaken around the world. And now that the field has been established, there is great need for a single, comprehensive source of information for governments, individuals, corporations and nonprofit organizations on the current state of degradation and the best restorative practices.

The GRN is fast becoming the central hub for ecological restoration - a vital resource for policymakers, professionals and community stakeholders alike: whether researching options for ecosystem restoration, writing a project proposal, or looking for educational programs and funding. Perhaps the most exciting feature of the GRN is the innovative Database where you can make a specific query and find restoration case studies and annotated links to a wide variety of relevant resources including experts, organizations and literature. Here is a sample of the links you will find in the GRN website and database.

CASE STUDIES

East Kootenay Grassland Restoration Program
Historically, fire swept through the grasslands every 15 years to rejuvenate decadent undergrowth and remove encroaching tree, shrub and weed species to maintain a mosaic of rich forage and protective cover for resident wildlife.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
The Government of Belize, and the other partners in the project, have developed a management plan designed to restore 90,000 acres (365 km²), based on a management principle which combines economic benefit with preservation of the environment.

The Eden Again Project The Iraq Foundation is sponsoring a new project, Eden Again, for the restoration of the southern marshes which were the target of a campaign by the Iraqi government in the early to mid nineties.

ORGANIZATIONS

Earth Restoration Service takes a proactive approach to ecosystem restoration worldwide, forming partnerships with community groups, charities, NGOs, governments and businesses in support of a broad range of environmental restoration projects.

Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration is a network of governments, organizations, communities and individuals who recognize the importance of forest landscape restoration and want to be part of a coordinated global effort.

European Centre for River Restoration supports the development of river restoration as an integral part of sustainable water management throughout Europe ensuring that projects will be more cost effective, more likely to succeed, and will encompass multifunctional objectives.

LITERATURE

The FAO has just released "Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options" where the livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.

Hindmarch, Harris and Morris just published "Growth and Sustainability: Integrating Ecosystem Services into Economics" arguing that a paradigm shift would push development from an exploitative to an adaptive mode, thus making it inherently sustainable.

Falk, Palmer and Zedler have just edited Foundations of Restoration Ecology which advances the science behind the practice of restoring ecosystems while exploring ways in which restoration ecology can inform basic ecological questions.

VIDEO

Reweaving Shiva's Robes
Project Arunachala has been supported by RIC since the late 1980's. The afforestation and environmental regeneration project was initiated in 1988 by Apeetha Arunagiri and the Annamalai Reforestation Society, established to regenerate the mountain to its former forested condition.

Mending Australia's Ancient Forest
David Yetman gets a first hand look at this ambitious project called Gondwana Link. The evolutionary process moves quickly in this environment, and new hybrids and species are discovered almost every week. Here, ecological restoration works hand-in-hand with the cultural restoration of the original owners of the land.

Restoring the Elwha
To help citizens and decision makers visualize a restored Elwha River, American Rivers recently introduced a new video, Restoring the Elwha, which includes cutting edge animations depicting the Elwha Valley before, during, and after dam removal. The video, produced by Earth Tribe TV, provides a look at the Elwha River and nearby communities, and details the dam removals as well as the re-vegetation and ecosystem revitalization scheduled to begin in two years.