CREAF researcher Pilar Andrés chairs the new chapter of SER Iberoamerica and the Caribbean

The Society for Ecological Restoration launches its chapter specialized in Iberoamerica and the Caribbean (SER-IAC), chaired by CREAF researcher Pilar Andrés. The new section represents the continuity and spirit of internationalization and networking of the Ibero-American and Caribbean Society for Ecological Restoration (SIACRE), based on scientific research, professional practice, social participation and the development of public policies. Pilar Andrés was a founding member of this society specialized in the restoration of degraded ecosystems, as well as its president during its most recent stage. In addition, she maintains a great involvement with the SER Europe chapter.

The significance of promoting a Latin American and Caribbean organization on ecosystem restoration is to have established itself as a network of networks in Latin America.

The significance of promoting a Iberoamerica and the Caribbean organization on ecosystem restoration is to have established itself as a network of networks in Latin America This fact has favored the linking of various restoration organisations in Brazil, which until now worked apart from their Spanish-speaking counterparts.

“Connecting continents to share ideas and disseminate results is very powerful”, according to Pilar Andrés, “and the presence of Spain and Portugal is strategic. We have united Brazil with the Spanish-speaking territory of Iberoamerica, especially taking into account the indigenous communities, integrating what unites us and strengthening collaboration”. The involvement of the executive director of the Society for Ecological Restoration, researcher Bethany Walder, has been key to creating this new chapter.

"It is very powerful to connect continents to share ideas and disseminate results"

PILAR ANDRÉS, CREAF researcher.

CREAF researcher highlights the relevance of the democratic process in the appointment of her position, as well as the responsibility of vice president, which falls on the researcher of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Eduardo Arellano.

A cross-cutting nature

SER-IAC's scope of action includes Iberoamerica, the Caribbean countries, as well as Spain and Portugal. Currently, its board of directors includes researchers in ecological restoration from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal and Spain, although the entity itself is in a growth phase to incorporate representatives of areas in which ecosystem restoration is less organized In parallel, the management team of the new chapter is composing "specialized thematic working groups, among others, on cross-training between countries, generation of thought and knowledge, as well as its transfer to people with political responsibility", according to its president Pilar Andrés assures that the will of SER-IAC is to create groups with an outstanding transversal character oriented to share ideas.

One of the main focuses of the new chapter is to promote its first annual meeting, associated with the V congress of the Red Colombiana de Restauración de Restauración Ecológica (REDCRE), an entity with a consolidated tradition in Latin America, which will take place in Bogotá (Colombia) between June 12 and 16, 2023.