A Global Collaboration to Restore Ecosystems and Support Community Well-being
As part of the conference, the ERIP Global Coordination Project hosted the symposium “Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program: A Global Collaboration to Restore Ecosystems and Support Community Well-being.” The session drew more than 35 participants and highlighted how countries are advancing large-scale restoration through shared knowledge, partnerships, and coordinated action under the program.
Key contributions included:
- Monica Barcellos Harris, ERIP Program Lead, presented an overview of the program’s approach to strengthening governance, advancing nature-based solutions, building capacity, and supporting long-term, community-led impact across participating countries.
- Robin Chazdon, Director of the Alliance of Assisted Natural Regeneration, outlined the global potential for assisted natural regeneration (ANR), noting that an estimated 215 million hectares—an area larger than Mexico—could support natural forest regrowth with limited intervention. The ERIP and the ANR Alliance will collaborate to help countries integrate ANR as a core restoration strategy.
- Alanna Rebelo, Senior Researcher at South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council, shared South Africa’s transdisciplinary approach to peatland restoration. The work aims to stabilize water tables, reduce carbon emissions, support biodiversity, and strengthen community resilience, offering models that can be adapted in other regions.
- Ludmila Pugliese, Project Director at Conservation International, highlighted the Restaura Biomas initiative in Brazil, which unites national organizations to accelerate restoration across six biomes through policy implementation, capacity development, and innovative financing.
The symposium underscored the shared commitment of ERIP partners to scale ecosystem restoration and support community well-being. The insights exchanged in Denver will continue informing collaboration across the program’s 20 participating countries.