SERA Award for Ecological Restoration Excellence — Large Project Category
This award recognises individuals, organisations, and teams delivering ecological restoration at scale — projects greater than 50 hectares that demonstrate strong ecological foundations, careful planning, and genuine, measurable recovery on the ground.
Restoration at this scale takes years of sustained effort, strong partnerships, and adaptive management. This award exists to recognise that work and share it more widely — with the sector, and with the communities who benefit from healthier land and seascapes.
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Prize: $1,500
Who’s eligible:
Any individual, organisation, agency, or community group leading or closely involved in a restoration project of more than 50 hectares, located in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, or the Pacific Islands. There is no restriction on how long the project has been running — long-established projects with years of monitoring data are just as welcome as newer ones showing early results. Previous finalists and winners may reapply, including with an updated version of the same project.
What you’ll need to supply:
- A written project summary describing the site, its history, and the restoration approach taken (word limit – 700 words)
- Evidence addressing the judging criteria (see below), such as monitoring data, site reports, or survey results
- Photographs of the site — before, during, and/or after restoration — for use in SERA’s promotional materials and, if shortlisted, the awards presentation
- Details of stakeholder or community partners involved in the project
- Optional: supporting documents such as published research, media coverage, or funding acknowledgements
If shortlisted, you’ll be contacted directly and asked to prepare a short video showcasing your project, to be shown at the awards presentation.
How to apply: Submit via the conference portal
Preparing your application: what judges are looking for
Your 700-word project summary and supporting evidence will be assessed against the following criteria. Strong applications don’t need to address every point exhaustively — but the more clearly you can speak to each, the easier it is for judges to see the full strength of your project.
Scientific and ecological foundation
Tell us about the science behind your project. Is it underpinned by sound ecological research, a monitoring program, or a partnership with researchers or institutions? Evidence-based decision-making — even informal, in-house monitoring — strengthens your case.
Planning and scale-appropriate delivery
Show that your planning, implementation, and monitoring match the scale and complexity of the site. For a project over 50 hectares, judges want to see that the approach was designed with that scale in mind, not just scaled up from a smaller model.
Stakeholder engagement
Who else is involved? Judges look for genuine, secure engagement with local stakeholders — community members, landholders, agencies, or partner organisations — not just a list of names.
Indigenous ecosystem reference
Describe how you’ve used an appropriate local Indigenous ecosystem as your recovery reference or target. This might include the ecological community you’re aiming to restore toward, and how that reference was determined.
Sustainability and connectivity
Explain how your project is set up to last — is it linked to surrounding ecosystems, contributing to a broader corridor or network, or otherwise built for long-term viability beyond the current funding or project cycle?
Climate adaptability
Have you factored climate change into your design? This could include species selection, water management, or planning for future conditions rather than just historical baselines.
Demonstrated recovery
This is where your evidence matters most: monitoring data, survey results, photos, or site reports that show recovery processes are genuinely underway — and that there’s a clear path to comprehensive recovery over time.
X factor
Is there something about your project that doesn’t fit neatly into the categories above — an innovative technique, a compelling story, or a standout outcome? Don’t be afraid to make the case for it.