The Society for Ecological Restoration Northwest Chapter (SERNW) is a dynamic interactive professional society dedicated to the art and science of restoration. Members of SERNW are actively protecting and restoring ecosystems throughout the Cascadia bioregion which includes Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Northern California. We provide a unique opportunity for members to coordinate restoration efforts and gain technical skills specific to Pacific Northwest ecosystems.

SERNW was founded in 1993 as a private non-profit organization. We have a membership of nearly 200 individuals and organizations. A twelve-member volunteer Board operates the chapter, with members from throughout our region.

 

Mission

To foster community around the science and practice of ecological restoration in the pacific northwest.

 

Vision

Connect and empower the restoration community to ensure ecological restoration is a fundamental component of conservation and sustainable development in the pacific northwest to repair ecological damage and improve the human condition.

As part of our vision, we adopt SER’s Guiding Values to inform our work:

  • Ecological restoration is an engaging and inclusive process. Restoration embraces the interrelationships between nature and culture, engages all sectors of society, and enables full and effective participation of indigenous, local and disenfranchised communities
  • Ecological restoration requires the integration of knowledge and practice. All forms of knowledge are essential for designing, implementing and monitoring restoration projects and programs. At the same time, lessons learned from practical experiences are essential for determining and prioritizing the scientific needs of the field.
  • Ecological restoration is policy-relevant and essential. Restoration is a critical tool for achieving biodiversity conservation, mitigating and adapting to climate change, enhancing ecosystem services, fostering sustainable socio economic development, and improving human health and well-being.
  • Ecological restoration is practiced locally with global implications. Restoration takes place in all regions of the world, with local actions having regional and global benefits for nature and people.

Objectives

Objective 1: Build our chapter’s organizational capacity and resilience.

Objective 2: Improve the science, practice, and policy of ecological restoration in the northwest.

Objective 3: Build and support relationships within the northwest restoration community.