A significant step toward the ecological restoration of Italy’s natural and semi-natural ecosystems has been taken with the establishment of the Italian Network for Ecological Restoration (INER/RIRE). The initiative, endorsed by SER-Europe, is set to play a key role in implementing the Nature Restoration Regulation (EU) 2024/1991.
The network, formed in 2024, brings together experts from academia, public institutions, businesses, and NGOs. It aims to promote the principles and standards of ecological restoration, particularly those developed by the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) and the Società Italiana per il Restauro Forestale (SIRF). The goal is to ensure the success of the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation in Italy through collaborative efforts.
A Vision for a Sustainable Future
RIRE’s mission is to integrate ecological restoration standards in Italy through a participatory approach. The network’s objectives include:
- Promoting conservation and ecological restoration across diverse habitats, including coastal and marine areas.
- Enhancing national and European biodiversity laws by advocating for improvements to current regulations.
- Establishing joint action structures to encourage sustainable and biodiversity-friendly behaviour.
Key Activities
To achieve its goals, RIRE has outlined a series of activities, including:
- Contributing to Italy’s National Restoration Plan and other relevant policies.
- Collaborating with protected area managers to incorporate restoration actions into conservation strategies.
- Strengthening connections between European restoration practitioners and leveraging funding programs.
- Facilitating knowledge-sharing among scientists, policymakers, and practitioners.
- Encouraging academic institutions to integrate ecological restoration courses into curricula.
- Standardizing restoration practices and translating key international documents into Italian.
Promoting a Culture of Ecological Restoration
Beyond policy and practice, RIRE emphasizes raising public awareness about the urgency and benefits of ecological restoration. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and providing guidelines for prioritizing restoration projects, the network aims to maximize sustainability and efficiency.
Commitment to Action
With a growing list of signatories from leading universities, research institutes, and private organizations, RIRE is positioned as a driving force in Italy’s ecological restoration movement. The network’s collaborative efforts will be crucial in ensuring the long-term success of restoration initiatives, aligning with broader European environmental goals.
You can read the Declaration of establishment of the Italian Network of Ecological Restoration below.
For more information, please contact info(at)ser-europe.org with a subject ‘RIRE‘