Program > Special sessions - invited contributors only

Special sessions, not open to submission (invited contributors only)

SS1 - The legal labyrinth of restoration laws for ecologists - All you ever wanted to know about the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, but were afraid to ask (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Alexandra Aragão, An Cliquet (on behalf of the Legal Working Group of SERE)

Words matter. In law they matter even more. This session will dive into the legal world of nature restoration law: what is the particular meaning of certain words in the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR); how is the law interpreted by courts; what if there are conflicting laws; how does the NRR function in case of transboundary ecosystems; and how can you cope with exemptions in the NRR? In every step of the way, scientists have an important role to play. This session invites lawyers and above all non-lawyers to discuss the peculiarities of restoration law and the role of scientists therein.

SS5 – Community Conversations: Shaping Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan through 'Whole-of-Society' Engagement (invited contributors only, no abstract submission)

Coordinator(s): Philip Corrigan

To shape Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan, the National Parks and Wildlife Service commissioned "Community Conversations"—a nationwide design-led research initiative. This session explores how we used participatory co-design to bridge the gap between European legislation and "lived reality".

SS7 - Seascape Restoration: From Policy Ambition to System-Scale Action (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Sahar Stevenson-Jones (SER-Europe), Joanne Preston (NORA & SRN), Philine zu Ermgassen (NORA), R.J. Lilley (ESRA), Berry Mulligan (ELSP), Wietse van de Werf (SRS).

The workshop examines the gap between Europe’s ambitious marine restoration policies, such as the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, and the limited on-the-ground implementation. It calls for moving beyond fragmented, single-habitat projects toward integrated, system-scale restoration across entire seascapes, emphasizing ecological connectivity, coordinated governance, and long-term planning. Through a seascape of case studies and a dedicated panel discussion, the session explores practical tools to scale restoration across the seascape and highlights workforce innovation — particularly the work of the Sea Rangers Service — as a model for building capacity and community engagement. During the session, barriers and actionable pathways will be identified in order to better align policy ambition with effective, large-scale marine restoration.

SS8 – Turning shared knowledge into collective action: Regional strategies for nature restoration (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Lasse Kurvinen (Parks & Wildlife Finland), Jannica Haldin (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, HELCOM)

The workshop will examine how regional cooperation can enhance the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) and support the achievement of broader regional and global restoration objectives. The Baltic Sea and HELCOM, supported by the PROTECT BALTIC project, will serve as a concrete example of how regional collaboration is advancing strategic restoration planning.

SS9 – Deep-Sea Ecosystem Restoration (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Critina Gambi (Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy), Jordi Grinyo (CSIC, Spain), Federica Foglini (CNR, Italy), Simonetta Fraschetti (UNINA, Italy), Roberto Danovaro (Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy)

This special session offers an overview of the multiple aspects of the deep-sea restoration interventions carried out in the framework of EU projects. REDRESS, ECOREST, LIFEMAPPER, and LIFEDREAM focus on vulnerable ecosystems—such as sea pens, bamboo corals, coral gardens, cold-water coral reefs, sponge fields, and cold seeps—many of which have been degraded by deep-sea fishing (especially trawling) but have strong potential for carbon sequestration and climate mitigation.

SS13 - Grazing as a conservation and restoration tool (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Julia Wiese (EFNCP), Jan-Erik Petersen (EEA).

First, the session reviews the scientific foundation for understanding the role of herbivores in shaping European landscapes and habitats throughout history and different ecosystem types and how we can analyze the impact of different grazing regimes on biodiversity. Then the session tackles practical aspects for creating positive biodiversity impact via grazing by presenting concrete examples, developing options for shared learning on grazing as a conservation and/or restoration tool and engaging with livestock managers. This part will therefore mainly build on the contributions of practitioners and aim to develop solutions for improved knowledge sharing.

SS20 - Extraction sites as biodiversity hotspots for research and training (invited contributors only, no abstract submission)

Coordinator(s): Shane Sparg (Heidelberg Materials), Thomas Sebrechts (BirdLife International, Europe and Central Asia)

Extraction sites provide opportunities for research on pioneer and early successional species and habitats. These unique environments function as living laboratories for a range of researchers, from seasoned professionals to young students and community groups contributing through citizen science. We discuss the importance of collaboration and creating an environment to develop best practices in ecological restoration and management that can feed directly into site operations.  Case studies in restoration and monitoring will provide lessons on how sometimes simple research ideas, given the support and good planning can contribute to better operational planning, coherent ecological rehabilitation, and overarching EU and national conservation goals.

SS23 – Digital educational tools for skills development in ecological restoration (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Ryan E. Campbell (Anhalt University of Applied Sciences), Fátima Gigante (Society for Ecological Restoration-Europe), Patricia María Rodríguez González (Forest Research Centre and Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon).

This session is being co-organized with the SER Europe Working Group on Education and Training.

Achieving global biodiversity and climate targets, as well as complying with the European Nature Restoration Regulation, requires a skilled and well-trained workforce across sectors and industries. Scaling up ecological restoration across Europe depends on effectively equipping practitioners with the necessary knowledge and competencies. In recent years, digital educational tools and courses have emerged as powerful means to provide such training. These tools help bridge knowledge gaps, facilitate knowledge transfer, and inspire both current professionals and students to improve their skillset for careers in ecological restoration. This session will showcase the range of available digital resources, highlighting their integration into university curricula, vocational training programs, and continuing professional development initiatives.

SS24 - Mini-Forests in Europe: The Miyawaki method from science to society (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Kazue Fujiwara (Yokohama City University), Grey Coupland (Murdoch University), Muralee Thummarukudy (G20 Global Initiative on Land, UNCCD).

The session will bring together six invited presentations examining the application of the Miyawaki method across scientific, social, educational, and urban contexts in Europe. Contributions will address the ecological foundations of the method, including potential natural vegetation and scientific evidence regarding Miyawaki forest performance and impacts. Case studies will also highlight community‑led and educational applications, offering an integrated view of Miyawaki mini‑forests in urban landscapes.

SS25 - Native seed quality for ecological restoration (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Simone Pedrini (Curtin University, Australia), Nancy Shaw (International Network for Seed Based Restoration, INSR), Sandra Malaval (Conservatoire Botanique National des Pyrénées et de Midi-Pyrénées).

Native seeds are a key component of most ecological restoration projects, but at times it can be difficult to source enough seeds from enough species of appropriate origin to do the job. The quality of the seeds to be used is also a crucial element for successful restoration, but, unfortunately, it is often overlooked because the market is poorly regulated. In this session, we present research and practical examples on evaluating and improving the quality of native seed and how users can better navigate to find quality seeds for their ecological restoration programs. This session was developed with the support of the European Native Seed Producers Association (ENSPA) and the International Network for Seed-based Restoration (INSR).

SS26 – Darker Sky - Restoring night condition for biodiversity (invited contributors only, no abstract submission)

Coordinator(s): Sébastien Gallet (Université de Brest)

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) is a major disturbance affecting both urban and rural ecosystems, yet it remains insufficiently considered in restoration ecology. The Darker Sky project illustrates how transdisciplinary and transnational cooperation can be mobilized to address both scientific and practical challenges. This session, part of the final event of the Interreg program, will present the project’s main approaches and key outcomes.

SS27 – Advancing knowledge and cooperation in the Mediterranean region throughout the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Valentina Garavaglia, Carolina Gallo Granizo & Andrea Romero Montoya (FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), led by FAO and UNEP, focuses on supporting and scaling up efforts to restor degraded ecosystems worldwide. At the Decade’s midpoint, this session highlights progress in restoration standards, capacity building, monitoring systems, and regional cooperation. Key topics include new online tools to support of the Decade’s restoration standards, the implementation of the Decade’s capacity and knowledge action plan, advances in monitoring frameworks, recognition of Decade’s World Restoration Flagships such as “Restoring Mediterranean Forests,” and future collaboration to scale up forest ecosystem restoration in the Mediterranean region, including the upcoming Mediterranean Forest Initiative. The session also seeks regional input on priorities for the Decade’s remaining five years.

SS28 – WET HORIZONS: Policy-ready evidence and tools for Europe’s wetland restoration (invited contributors only, no abstract submission)

Coordinator(s): Shubiao Wu, Lorenzo Pugliese

This session presents the key findings and final outputs of the EU Horizon-funded project WET HORIZONS, which brings together leading European researchers, biogeochemical modellers, and policy analysts to advance knowledge, tools and governance for wetland restoration. The session highlights how the project’s results support climate-smart, cost-effective and policy-relevant decision-making at regional, national and EU levels.The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), led by FAO and UNEP.

SS29 - Restoring Europe’s Nature - Lessons and inspiration from LIFE projects across Europe’s ecosystems (invited contributors only)

Coordinator(s): Joseph Van Der Stegen (CINEA), Chloé Weeger (ELMEN EEIG), Lynne Barratt (ELMEN EEIG)

This session will explore lessons and key factors in making ambitious restoration projects succeed and deliver excellence, innovation as well long-lasting effects and results. Over the last 34 years, the LIFE programme has substantially contributed to implementing the Habitats and Birds Directives and the European Biodiversity strategy. The session will showcase LIFE projects from different biogeographical regions and targeting different ecosystem types. The projects will illustrate and provide insights on how to upscale projects, incorporate innovation and so increase their impact. The LIFE experience can provide an inspiring source of information for projects supporting the effective and efficient implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the future national restoration plans.