GBF Target 02: Ecosystem Restoration ,

Ecosystem Restoration

In this self-paced course you will learn to develop a step-by-step ecosystem restoration plan and apply effective restoration solutions in your national and subnational context.

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Learning for Nature

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 Course type: Self-paced course
 Languages: English

 Estimated effort: 3-5 hours per module 
 Duration: 8 modules

 Partners:  United Nations Development Programme, Convention on Biological Diversity, Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, Korea Forest Service, The European Union, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Contributors:  CIFOR–ICRAF, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Commission on Ecosystem Management, Society for Ecological Restoration, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, University of Montana, BSC Group, Technische Universität München, Peatland Ecology Research Group, Université Laval, L’Institut Méditerranéen de la Biodiversité et d’Écologie marine et continentale 

Contact course coordinator FAQs Course syllabus

 

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2021-2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The UN Decade is a universal call for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world, for the benefit of people and nature. 

Are you interested in joining the global movement to restore our natural world? Do you want to become more skilled at preventing, halting, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems? Are you looking to create a step-by-step action plan for ecosystem restoration in your country? 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are offering a FREE self-paced course on Ecosystem Restoration. This course is available thanks to the generous support of the European Union and the Korea Forest Service of the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI). This course compiles research from leading institutions engaged in ecosystem restoration and experts in the field to raise awareness and build ecosystem restoration capacity. 

About the course

The course serves as an introduction to the Short-Term Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration (STAPER) - a flexible framework adopted by the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to support, inter alia, governments in the development and implementation of their national restoration strategies. The course is geared to government representatives interested in creating a blueprint for ecosystem restoration at the national or subnational level, but is open to everyone. The course is currently offered in English. Versions of the course in French and Spanish are forthcoming.

Course highlights and outcomes

  • Gain the skills needed to create a blueprint for ecosystem restoration
  • Join a community-of-practice committed to preventing, halting, and reversing the trend of ecosystem degradation
  • Explore rich learning materials, diving into detailed content based on your needs
  • Learn how to select the most appropriate interventions for your context from a range of restorative practices
  • Receive a certificate of completion from the course partners

Learning objectives

By the time you complete the course, you will be able to:

  • Define ecosystem restoration and explain its importance 
  • Outline the types of ecosystems and ecosystem services
  • Explain approaches to and principles of restoration 
  • Understand how stakeholder participation and inclusive and gender-responsive planning are critical to your restoration project
  • Place restoration in the context of large-scale initiatives and agreements
  • Understand the steps and activities involved in developing a plan for ecosystem restoration
  • Tailor your restoration plan based on real-world examples 
  • Conceptualize the application of the Short-Term Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration in your context 

Course topics

The course will cover the following topics: 

  • Module 1: Introduction to ecosystem restoration
  • Module 2: Legal, policy and governance aspects
  • Module 3: Assessment of opportunities and priorities for restoration
  • Module 4: Cost-benefit analysis, accounting processes and resource mobilization
  • Module 5: Strategic planning processes
  • Module 6: Selection and implementation of restoration interventions
  • Module 7: Monitoring and evaluation
  • Module 8: Capacity-building and development

Click “Enroll” to register for the course today. The course starts on 3 September 2021. All registered participants will be notified via email when the course becomes available. 

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the course team at info@learningfornature.org.

Course Content

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Learning for Nature

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Course Includes

  • 10 Modules
  • 48 Activities
  • 8 quizzes
  • Course Certificate
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Frequently Asked Questions

Course Syllabus

Module 1Module 2Module 3Module 4Module 5Module 6Module 7Module 8

Module 1: Introduction to ecosystem restoration

In Module 1, you will learn about the importance of ecosystem restoration, and the types of ecosystems and ecosystem services. You will also learn the basic principles underpinning the process of ecosystem restoration and the global policy frameworks guiding it.

REQUIRED: Quiz

Quiz 1 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 1.

OPTIONAL: Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to ecosystem restoration

OPTIONAL: Workbook

Workbook 1 allows you to apply the information in Module 1 to your context.

OPTIONAL: Case studies

  • Tanzania
  • Kenya
  • South Africa
  • United States of America
  • Brazil
  • Iceland

OPTIONAL: Discussion forum

This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 1 for feedback from other course participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 1 content.

Module 2: Legal, policy and governance aspects

In Module 2, you will learn how to account for the economic, legal, and institutional realities of your restoration program. You will understand how to identify gaps and necessary improvements in the institutional enabling environment for ecosystem restoration, including land tenure, and validate those with all stakeholders. In this module, you will also learn how the development of legal, economic, and social incentives can facilitate effective restoration interventions. .

REQUIRED: Quiz

Quiz 2 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 2.

OPTIONAL: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Assessing institutional, policy and legal frameworks
  • Lesson 2: Establishing and improving frameworks for land tenure
  • Lesson 3: Building support for improving restoration frameworks

OPTIONAL: Workbook

Workbook 2 allows you to apply the information in Module 2 to your context.

OPTIONAL: Case studies

  • Mauritius
  • Colombia
  • Mozambique
  • Australia
  • Ethiopia

OPTIONAL: Discussion forum

This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 2 for feedback from other course participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 2 content.

Module 3: Assessment of opportunities and priorities for restoration

In Module 3, you will be introduced to the technical assessment of opportunities for ecosystem restoration. In this module, you will learn how to identify and prioritize degraded areas for restoration action. You will also learn how to identify options to reduce the drivers of ecosystem loss and degradation, including through sustainably productive activities.

REQUIRED: Quiz

Quiz 3 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 3.

OPTIONAL: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Assessing degraded ecosystems
  • Lesson 2: Prioritizing restoration areas
  • Lesson 3: Identifying options to reduce drivers of ecosystem degradation

OPTIONAL: Workbook

Workbook 3 allows you to apply the information in Module 3 to your context.

OPTIONAL: Case studies

  • India
  • Sahel
  • Myanmar
  • Burkina Faso
  • Lebanon
  • Canada

OPTIONAL: Discussion forum

This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 3 for feedback from other course participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 3 content.

Module 4: Cost-benefit analysis, accounting processes and resource mobilization

In Module 4, you will learn how to assess the costs and benefits of restoration and how and why to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. You will learn how ecosystem accounts are developed and incorporated into restoration program design. You will also review ways to develop an appropriate resource mobilization framework for ecosystem restoration.

REQUIRED: Quiz

Quiz 4 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 4.

OPTIONAL: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Assessing the costs and benefits of restoration
  • Lesson 2: Developing accounting processes
  • Lesson 3: Developing plans for resource mobilization

OPTIONAL: Workbook

Workbook 4 allows you to apply the information in Module 4 to your context.

OPTIONAL: Case studies

  • Spain
  • United States of America
  • Madagascar
  • Morocco
  • China
  • Ethiopia

OPTIONAL: Discussion forum

This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 4 for feedback from other course participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 4 content.

Module 5: Strategic planning processes

In Module 5, you will be introduced to the strategic planning processes and mechanisms for ecosystem restoration. In this module, you will learn how to engage all relevant stakeholders and rights holders, ensure gender balance, and incorporate the principle of free, prior, and informed consent into restorative interventions. You will review tools, strategies, and principles behind consultation, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, and start working on defining tasks, schedules, and budgeting.

REQUIRED: Quiz

Quiz 5 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 5.

OPTIONAL: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Involving all stakeholders
  • Lesson 2: Designing safeguard measures
  • Lesson 3: Setting goals and objectives for a restoration plan
  • Lesson 4: Developing implementation tasks, schedules and budgets

OPTIONAL: Workbook

Workbook 5 allows you to apply the information in Module 5 to your context.

OPTIONAL: Case studies

  • Indonesia
  • India
  • Canada
  • Netherlands
  • Indonesia
  • United States of America
  • Uganda
  • Nepal
  • Brazil

OPTIONAL: Discussion forum

This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 5 for feedback from other course participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 5 content.

Module 6: Selection and implementation of restoration interventions

In Module 6, you will be introduced to the technical components of program implementation for ecosystem restoration. You will learn how to plan and implement the most appropriate restoration interventions for your context. You will gain an understanding of an ecosystem-based approach to restoration. Module 6 will also introduce you to the tools and strategies to address the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples and local communities affected by restoration.

REQUIRED: Quiz

Quiz 6 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 6.

OPTIONAL: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Establishing and improving terrestrial and marine spatial planning processes
  • Lesson 2: Identifying restoration interventions
  • Lesson 3: Considering restoration’s contribution to sustainability

OPTIONAL: Workbook

Workbook 6 allows you to apply the information in Module 6 to your context.

OPTIONAL: Case studies

  • Vietnam
  • Mexico
  • Honduras and El Salvador
  • Philippines
  • Finland
  • Nicaragua
  • Peru
  • Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia

OPTIONAL: Discussion forum

This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 6 for feedback from other course participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 6 content.

Module 7: Monitoring and evaluation

In Module 7, you will be introduced to the tools and strategies to monitor, evaluate, and share lessons learned throughout your restoration program. In Module 7, you will learn about adaptive management, the purpose and importance of monitoring and evaluation, and how explicit feedback mechanisms can be used to improve the management of the restoration process.

REQUIRED: Quiz

Quiz 7 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 7.

OPTIONAL: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Assessing the impacts of ecosystem restoration
  • Lesson 2: Adjusting plans through adaptive management
  • Lesson 3: Sharing lessons learned

OPTIONAL: Workbook

Workbook 7 allows you to apply the information in Module 7 to your context.

OPTIONAL: Case studies

  • Nicaragua
  • South Africa
  • Kenya
  • Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Tanzania
  • Indonesia
  • United States of America

OPTIONAL: Discussion forum

This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 7 for feedback from other course participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 7 content.

Module 8: Capacity-building and development

In Module 8, you will learn to develop an enabling environment for your restoration program by promoting and strengthening capacity-building and development. You will gain an understanding of the value of and possible channels for exchanging expertise in order to improve restoration interventions.

REQUIRED: Quiz

Quiz 8 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 8.

OPTIONAL: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Promoting and strengthening education systems for restoration
  • Lesson 2: Promoting capacity-building and development

OPTIONAL: Workbook

Workbook 8 allows you to apply the information in Module 8 to your context.

OPTIONAL: Case studies

  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • United States of America
  • Indonesia

OPTIONAL: Discussion forum

This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 8 for feedback from other course participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 8 content.