On 27 September 2018 the Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia announced the winners of the SERA awards for excellence in ecological restoration practice for projects from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The awards were presented at the SERA2018 conference in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
This award acknowledges individuals or organisations that have made a significant and enduring contribution to the practice of ecological restoration through outstanding on-ground restoration projects. The two subcategories are (a) Larger scale projects (i.e. 50ha and greater) and (b) Smaller scale projects (i.e. below 50 ha). Nominations were open for outstanding projects from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands for SERA’s biennial awards for (i) excellence in ecological restoration practice, (ii) the most outstanding student project and (iii) extractive industries restoration excellence.
WINNERS
Cash prizes of AUD $ 2,000 - awarded to two projects project above 50ha in size
Cash prize of AUD $1,000 - awarded to one below 50ha in size
Cash prize of AUD $1,000 - awarded to student engaged in research relating to ecological restoration.
The winners were announced at the Gala Dinner with 15 finalists in the line up.
JOINT WINNERS FOR THE LARGE PROJECT CATEGORY (>50HA)
Nature Glenelg Trust: The Long Swamp Restoration Project
SMALL PROJECT WINNER (<50HA)
Wampoo Gorge Restoration Project
STUDENT WINNER
Dr Nicholas Gellie: For innovation in applying eDNA research in restoration monitoring
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
A special commendation award was made to Simone Pedrini in the Student Award category for his outstanding support and services to SERA particularly in the development of the phone App for the Recovery Wheel.