Society for Ecological Restoration

Name

Society for Ecological Restoration

Legal name

Society for Ecological Restoration

Website

https://ser.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services (IMAMAJAM), Ecological Restoration Planning & Monitoring (Habitat, Wetland, Stream) (EUAHAHAF)

Keywords

• Ecological restoration standards
• Environmental professional certification
• Restoration ecology research
• Conservation policy advocacy
• Membership association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: SER generates primary revenue through membership dues across multiple tiers including Individual ($99-$300/year), Business ($479-$2,500/year), Student ($42/year), Retiree ($57/year), Lifetime ($1,950 one-time), and Organizational memberships. Equity rate memberships are offered at $25/year for those with limited income. A portion of business and Restorer memberships subsidizes Open Doors memberships.
2. Professional Certification (CERP Program): Revenue from the Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) and CERPIT certification programs, including application fees, annual maintenance fees, and recertification fees. SER has over 700 CERPs and CERPITs globally. Members receive discounts on certification fees.
3. World and Regional Conferences: Revenue from registration fees for the biennial SER World Conference and regional conferences. The SER2025 conference and upcoming SER2027 in Darwin, Australia are major events. Reduced registration rates are offered for students and emerging professionals.
4. Publications and Journal Subscriptions: Revenue from the Restoration Ecology peer-reviewed journal, Island Press book series (25% discount for members), and partner journal subscriptions. Restoration Ecology achieved a CiteScore of 5.7 in 2024 with 735,546 full-text views.
5. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship program where businesses sponsor SER activities. Current sponsors include Stantec, Westervelt Ecological Services, and Biohabitats. Sponsorships support SER's science, practice, and policy advancement. Sponsors have no influence over SER activities.
6. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting SER's mission. Monthly recurring donation options are available. Donations support community outreach programs, next-generation practitioner support, and scaling standards-based restoration.
7. Planned Giving: SER accepts stocks, charitable gift annuities, and non-cash contributions. Beneficiary designations on retirement plans, life insurance policies, and formal bequests are accepted. The CERP program was made possible in part from a bequest.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Society for Ecological Restoration is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association that develops and disseminates the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration, certifies practitioners through its CERP/CERPIT programs, publishes the peer-reviewed Restoration Ecology journal, and operates a global network of regional chapters, thematic sections, and member communities to advance ecological restoration science, practice, and policy worldwide. Revenue is generated through annual membership dues across multiple tiers, certification fees, conference registrations, journal subscriptions, corporate sponsorships, and tax-deductible donations.

Product overview

The Society for Ecological Restoration operates a platform-based ecosystem of interconnected products and services focused on advancing the science, practice, and policy of ecological restoration globally. The core portfolio centers on the SER International Standards (3rd Edition, 2026), the flagship guidelines document for ecological restoration practice worldwide. Professional development offerings include the Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) program with CERP and CERPIT certification levels, the Restoration Ecology Course (MOOC), Webinar Series, and Assisted Natural Regeneration Course. Knowledge sharing is enabled through the Restoration Ecology peer-reviewed journal, the Restoration Resource Center interactive platform, SER Connect member community, and the SER Standards Tools (including Five-star System, Restorative Continuum, and Recovery Wheels). The organization drives global impact through Make a Difference Week annual volunteer initiatives, 16 Regional Chapters, 3 Thematic Sections, and the REVIVE scaling initiative. Specialized standards include The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS), Mining Standards, and International Standards for Native Seeds. Access programs include the Open Doors equity initiative, Partnership Fund grants, and various membership tiers (individual, business/organizational, student, lifetime). The biennial SER World Conference and ongoing webinar programming provide networking and learning opportunities across a membership of 5,000+ professionals in 138 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Restoration Ecology Journal: Peer-reviewed scientific journal published by SER since 1993, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue in ecological restoration. In 2024, achieved CiteScore of 5.7 with 735,546 full-text views.

Products and services

• SER International Standards (3rd Edition, 2026)

Quantifiable outcome

• 22,400+ volunteers engaged, 140,000 hours contributed, 825 projects in 55 countries through Make a Difference Week
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• StantecminorOthersStantec is a corporate sponsor of SER, listed among SER's sponsors. As a corporate sponsor, Stantec supports SER's efforts to advance the science, practice, and policy of ecological restoration. Sponsors have no influence over SER activities including science, practice, or policy recommendations.
• Westervelt Ecological ServicesminorOthersWestervelt Ecological Services is a corporate sponsor of SER. The company provides ecosystem restoration services and supports SER's global restoration mission through sponsorship.
• BiohabitatsminorOthersBiohabitats is a corporate sponsor of SER and a business member organization. The company focuses on conservation planning, ecological restoration, and regenerative design. Keith Bowers, founder and President of Biohabitats, is a past Chair of SER's Board (2003-2007).
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO co-developed the 'Standards of practice to guide ecosystem restoration: A contribution to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030' publication, which presents over 300 recommendations across all ecosystem types. SER was a lead partner alongside FAO and IUCN CEM in developing these best-practice principles.
• IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUCN CEM co-developed the 'Standards of practice to guide ecosystem restoration: A contribution to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030' alongside SER and FAO, with 22 collaborative organizations contributing to over 300 recommendations.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nature Conservancy collaborated with SER on Restoration Guidelines for Shellfish Reefs, available in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The guidelines provide a foundational starting point for shellfish reef restoration as an integral part of ocean and coastal management globally.
• BGCI (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGCI co-developed The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) with SER, Plan Vivo Foundation, and CIFOR-ICRAF. TGBS ensures that tree planting, habitat restoration, and agroforestry practices enhance biodiversity, combining global botanical expertise with local knowledge.
• Plan Vivo FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlan Vivo Foundation collaborated with SER, BGCI, and CIFOR-ICRAF to develop The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS), ensuring that restoration practices enhance biodiversity through a combination of global botanical expertise and local knowledge.
• CIFOR-ICRAFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIFOR-ICRAF co-developed The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) alongside SER, BGCI, and Plan Vivo Foundation, bringing together biodiversity specialists, ecologists, sociologists, and certification agencies.
• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity FrameworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSER's updated International Standards (3rd Edition, June 2026) are designed to align with and support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's goal of restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030 (Target 2). SER actively advocates for restoration policy at the CBD level.
• UN Decade on Ecosystem RestorationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSER is a lead partner in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), serving on three UN Decade Task Forces. SER co-developed the Principles for Ecosystem Restoration to Guide the United Nations Decade 2021-2030 alongside FAO and IUCN CEM.
• Climate Focus / Global Restoration Observatory NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSER and Climate Focus formalized the Restoration Project Information Sharing Framework on behalf of the Global Restoration Observatory network, facilitating coordination and sharing of project information to support global restoration monitoring and track global progress.
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSER serves as a key partner to the Convention on Biological Diversity, having contributed to the inclusion of restoration as a key component of the Aichi Targets and now supporting implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's Target 2.
• Island PresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSER collaborates with Island Press on an ecological restoration book series that has produced 28 titles on topics ranging from foundational science and philosophy to practical field strategies, serving students, professionals, and educators.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSER has a partnership with Microsoft, listed as a standards-based restoration initiative under 'Restoration in Action' on the SER website, focused on scaling high-impact ecological restoration grounded in standards.
• Fort Belknap Indian CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSER is engaged in a grassland restoration project with the Fort Belknap Indian Community as part of its standards-based restoration in action initiatives, integrating Indigenous knowledge with restoration science.
• International Network for Seed-Based Restoration (INSR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINSR is a thematic section of SER that brings together professionals, scientists, practitioners, students, industry, government, and community organizations to foster understanding and advancement in seed ecology, conservation, and seed-based restoration of degraded ecosystems.
• Large-Scale Ecosystem Restoration Section (LERS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLERS is a SER thematic section dedicated to advancing public education, providing a forum for interchange of ideas, and developing large-scale ecosystem restoration as a discipline through education, curriculum development, and research.
• Natural Regeneration Network (NRN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRN is a SER thematic section linking members interested in using natural regeneration in restoration, sharing case studies, contributing to guidelines, and advancing best practices globally.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Wildlife Fund: One of the world's largest conservation organizations with global programs, advocacy, and field operations across habitat protection and restoration. Comparable as a globally recognized conservation NGO with broad scope, but operates at much larger scale and does not specialize in restoration standards.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Global authority on biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, producing the IUCN Red List and ecosystem management standards. SER has partnered with IUCN CEM on restoration standards; IUCN is a broader incumbent spanning all of conservation with much larger scope and resources.
• The Nature Conservancy: Largest global environmental non-profit with operations in 70+ countries, focused on land and water conservation. SER has collaborated with TNC on shellfish reef restoration guidelines; TNC is a broader incumbent that funds and executes restoration at scale rather than setting standards for the field.

Emerging players

• Plan Vivo Foundation: Non-profit certification body for ecosystem service and restoration projects, particularly in low-income countries. Direct partner with SER on TGBS; highly comparable as a smaller standards and certification organization focused specifically on restoration and community-led conservation.
• Verra: Non-profit standards body operating the Verified Carbon Standard and other environmental certification programs. Comparable as a global standards and verification organization adjacent to ecological restoration, with growing overlap as carbon markets incorporate biodiversity outcomes.

Direct peers

• Society for Conservation Biology: Global professional society advancing the science and practice of conservation biology. Directly comparable as a membership-based professional organization setting standards and hosting journals/conferences for conservation practitioners, with a similar mission and member-supported non-profit model.
• Forest Stewardship Council: Global non-profit setting standards for responsible forest management and certifying forests/products. Directly comparable as an international standards and certification body in the forestry/ecological space, monetizing standards through certification fees for practitioners and supply chains.
• The Wildlife Society: Professional association for wildlife biologists and managers with global membership, certification programs, peer-reviewed journals, and annual conferences. Closely mirrors SER's membership, certification (CWB), and standards-publishing structure within an adjacent conservation domain.
• Ecological Society of America: Non-profit professional society for ecologists, operating a peer-reviewed journal (Ecology), annual meeting, and sections focused on sub-disciplines. Directly comparable as a long-established ecology society with chapters, sections, certification (Certified Ecologist), and policy engagement.
• Botanic Gardens Conservation International: Global network of botanic gardens working on plant conservation and biodiversity standards. SER's partner in developing The Global Biodiversity Standard; comparable in mission, network-based governance, and standards publishing for the conservation community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SERestoration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Society for Ecological Restoration