INTRODUCTION

The Education & Training Working Group aims to improve education and training opportunities, and integrate knowledge exchange as related to the restoration of degraded ecosystems as the primary basis to contribute to the training of high quality restoration professionlals.

MISSION STATEMENT

Large parts of the world present important degredation processes that severely affect biodiversity, water and soil quality, and the dynamics of our atmosphere. The main causes of degredation are overexploitation and unsustainable use of natural resources.

Recent scientific and technical progress offers useful techniques to reduce the impacts of human pressures on ecosystems, and also to improve ecosystem restoration techniques. However, the implementation of these approaches has been limited, due, at least partly, to the lack of knowledge transfer between professionals, and particularly to a new generation of underqualified practitioners.

As a solution to these challenges, the Education and Training Working Group (ETWG) aims to promote the advancement of scientific, technical and environmental efforts, whilst reinforcing the transfer of new and existing knowledge, and the promotion of diverse actor involvement.

MEMBERSHIP

The ETWG is co-ordinated by Patricia Rodriguez, Assistant Professor at the ISA Faculty of the University of Lisbon. The ETWG includes the coordinator of the YOUNG#ER group.

Membership of the ETWG is voluntary. There is no compensation for participation in the ETWG but there is no membership fee. Both Members of SER and non-members are welcome to join, with existing members also welcome to suggest new members.

WG OBJECTIVES

The Objectives of the ETWG include

  • to gather and share innovative educational approaches to impart scientific and technical knowledge on ecosystem restoration to a variety of audiences
  • to promote building a collaborative environment between actors who are directly or indirectly involved in ecological restoration actions
  • to encourage the involvement of the next generation in ecological restoration
  • to encourage educators and communication experts to engage in ecological restoration
  • to encourage scientists and practitioners to share their knowledge on ecological restoration
  • to encourage learning within the ecological restoration community, based on successes and failures.

SEE ALSO

SER-Europe Workshops at the biennial SER-Europe Conference, and webinars.

YOUNG#ER – a group representing students and emerging professionals within SER-Europe. It is an informal group that exists through online platforms with members from across Europe. YOUNG#ER has recently been involved in the organisation of workshops at SERE2024.

TRAIN#ER – a project which completed in 2023, which developed comprehensive Guidelines on Training Needs in Ecological Restoration in Europe.

TEAM#UP – a project which aims to expand the existing extensive knowledge and skills in the field of ecological restoration to fill gaps in green vocational education and training.

CONTACT

If you want to join the ETWG, or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact info@ser-europe.org) and a member of the team will forward your request as appropriate.

Last updated: SSJ, August 2024