![\"LERS](\"https:\/\/serchapter2018.wpengine.com\/lers\/files\/2014\/01\/LERS-Diagram.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) officially launched America\u2019s Great Waters Coalition in December 2009 at the US Capitol Visitors Center.\u00a0 The Coalition works to secure needed long-term federal funding commitments as well as a comprehensive policy for the restoration of many of America\u2019s large aquatic ecosystems.\u00a0 To manifest this vision, the Great Waters Coalition is focusing on the following goals:<\/p>\n
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- Make the restoration of our great waters a national priority;<\/li>\n
- Secure sustainable dedicated funding for restoration;<\/li>\n
- Ensure sound implementation of restoration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The key here is that the National Community for Ecosystem Restoration will complement and not duplicate<\/span> the Great Waters Coalition efforts.<\/p>\n
NCER\u2019s two initial goals were to:<\/p>\n
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- Link all ongoing ecosystem restoration efforts and fill recognized knowledge transfer and communication gaps;<\/li>\n
- Help enable a collaborative and holistic life-cycle approach to ecosystem restoration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Approximately 50 volunteers who are national senior leaders in the field of ecosystem restoration have been working very diligently since the National Conference in 2009 to take the National Community for Ecosystem Restoration to the next level.\u00a0 Mission, Implementation and Governance sub-teams were created and\u00a0actively engaged in our our next steps.<\/p>\n
In September 2010 NCER representatives were invited to meet with the SER Board.\u00a0 A three page concept paper was prepared and was the premise for the discussion.\u00a0\u00a0The meeting concluded with an agreement that there were additional details to be worked thru and a joint team would prepare a white paper for consideration by NCER and SER membership.\u00a0\u00a0This white paper was presented at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration in 2011 and gained support to move forward with becoming a Section within SER.\u00a0 Two years later, this vision became a reality and the Large-scale Ecosystem Restoration Section (LERS) was approved and created by the SER Board of Directors.<\/p>\n