The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest and most influential conservation organisation. It unites the expertise and resources of over 1,400 member organisations across 160 countries, employing nearly 1,000 staff across 50 countries, with a network of more than 15,000 experts contributing to IUCN's seven Commissions. Since its founding in 1948, IUCN has become a global authority on the status of the natural world and the actions needed to protect it. FSC ANZ is honoured to be one of its member organisations.
Australia has committed to six National Targets in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets the stage for action on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. To achieve these ambitious goals, Australia must develop a national restoration plan that identifies degraded priority areas, clearly defines effective restoration practices, and integrates conservation. A key factor in the success of this plan is a ‘whole-of-society' approach that includes partnerships, collaboration with all stakeholders, and especially meaningful involvement of First Nations Peoples.
The ACIUCN's 2-day Ecosystem Restoration Workshop brought together a diverse group of participants including conservationists, scientists, financial experts, policymakers, practitioners, and representatives from First Nations communities. The goal was to build a collaborative approach to identify restoration priorities, gaps, and the tools needed to effectively restore Australia’s degraded ecosystems.
Key discussions at the workshop included:
- Identifying priority degraded areas for restoration across Australia.
- Reviewing current frameworks and knowledge on ecosystem restoration to pinpoint barriers and areas needing further action.
- Defining what effective restoration looks like within an Australian context.
- Proposing values, principles, and tools for prioritizing ecosystem restoration, with a strong focus on partnerships with First Nations communities.
- Exploring financial mechanisms to support and scale up restoration efforts.
Attendees left the workshop with a roadmap of recommended actions to help Australia meet its national restoration targets. This roadmap will serve as a crucial guiding document for policymakers, conservation groups, and practitioners alike as they work to restore Australia’s ecosystems.
For FSC ANZ, the workshop provided invaluable insights and an opportunity to contribute to the national conversation on ecosystem restoration. It also aligns with our ongoing efforts to promote sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation. With the upcoming Katoomba Summit and the Global Nature Positive Summit on the horizon, FSC looks forward to continuing to be an active participant in discussions that shape the future of our natural world.
This workshop marks a critical step forward in building the partnerships and strategies needed to address Australia’s restoration goals, and FSC ANZ is proud to have been part of this significant event.