Albert Morris Award for Outstanding Ecological Restoration
Presented jointly by SERA, the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR), and the Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC), this award honours the memory of Albert Morris — a pioneering botanist whose work with the Barrier Field Naturalists’ Club in the 1930s helped reverse desertification around Broken Hill using natural regeneration. The green landscape surrounding Broken Hill today is a direct legacy of that work.
This award recognises restoration projects grounded in natural regeneration, which deliver genuine benefits to both biodiversity and the broader community — carrying forward the spirit of Albert Morris’s original vision.
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Prize: Trophy and Recognition
Who’s eligible:
Any individual, organisation, agency, or community group whose restoration project relies on natural regeneration techniques and can demonstrate benefits to both ecological and social outcomes, located in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, or the Pacific Islands.
What you’ll need to supply:
- A written project summary with a clear focus on the natural regeneration approach used (word limit – 700 words)
- Evidence of biodiversity benefit (species recovery, habitat condition, monitoring data)
- Evidence that the restored ecosystem will offer beneficial ecosystem services and other social benefits relevant to, recognised and appreciated by the local and regional community
- Photographs of the site for use in SERA’s promotional materials and, if shortlisted, the awards presentation
- Details of stakeholder or partner engagement, including any involvement with AABR networks
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.
Natural regeneration focus
This award is specifically about natural regeneration. Be explicit about how your project relies on and demonstrates natural regeneration as the primary method of recovery, rather than active planting or intervention-heavy approaches.
Biodiversity benefit
Show measurable benefit to biodiversity — species recovery, habitat condition, or monitoring data that demonstrates ecological improvement.
Social/community benefit
This award looks beyond ecology alone. Demonstrate the ecosystem services and social benefits your project delivers to the local or regional community — recreational, cultural, economic, or wellbeing outcomes that are recognised and valued locally.
Planning and implementation
Describe the quality of your project’s design and delivery — how it was planned, and how that plan was carried out.
Stakeholder & partner engagement
Who’s involved? This includes community engagement as well as any connection to AABR networks or other restoration partners.
X factor
Is there something about your project that captures the spirit of Albert Morris’s legacy — natural regeneration delivering benefits to both land and community? Make the case for it here.