Doing restoration properly
Gondwana Rainforest Trust founder Kelvin Davies on why the Trust has joined Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) and what it means for the rainforests we're working to bring back.
Kelvin, why did Gondwana Rainforest Trust decide to join SERA Australasia?
Our core mission is protecting and restoring Australia’s ancient rainforest, but doing that well means constantly learning, improving, and collaborating.
SERA Australasia represents the gold standard for ecological restoration in our region. They bring together the people and organisations who are serious about doing restoration properly, based on science and long-term ecological outcomes. Joining SERA was a natural step for us. It’s about aligning with best practice and being part of a larger movement that’s working to heal ecosystems across Australasia.
What does being a member add to the work GRT is already doing?
A lot of what we do, land acquisition, rainforest regeneration, and building wildlife corridors, is complex. Having access to the latest research, the National Standards for Ecological Restoration, and the experience of practitioners across the region really strengthens our work. SERA gives us access to tools, case studies, and frameworks that help us measure the success of our restoration projects over time. That’s crucial. When supporters donate, they want to know we’re not just planting trees, we’re restoring functioning rainforest ecosystems. SERA helps make sure we’re doing exactly that.
Volunteers planting native rainforest trees in the Big Scrub.
"When supporters donate, they want to know we're not just planting trees, we're restoring functioning rainforest ecosystems."
How important is collaboration in conservation and restoration?
It’s absolutely essential. No single organisation can tackle biodiversity loss or climate resilience on its own. Restoration is most effective when it’s done in partnership, whether that’s with scientists, landholders, community groups, Traditional Owner knowledge-holders, or other conservation organisations. SERA creates a space where these connections happen. It’s a community of people who share the same vision: repairing damaged landscapes and safeguarding the ecological future of Australasia. Being part of that community helps amplify our impact.
SERA is known for developing the National Standards for Ecological Restoration. How do these standards influence GRT’s work?
The National Standards set out what high-quality ecological restoration looks like, from planning to implementation, to long-term monitoring. For us, adopting those standards means our restoration efforts can be benchmarked against scientifically recognised criteria. Whether we’re regenerating rainforest on purchased lands or supporting corridor projects, we can evaluate progress using frameworks like SERA’s "Recovery Wheel".
SERA’s "Recovery Wheel".
It helps ensure the rainforest ecosystems we restore don’t just look good in the short term; they function ecologically for generations.
How does this membership support your long-term vision for rainforest protection in Australia?
Gondwana Rainforest Trust has always been about legacy, buying land, restoring habitat, and leaving a healthier landscape than we found.
SERA membership supports that long-term vision by keeping us connected to cutting-edge ecological knowledge and a network of restoration leaders. It keeps us accountable, too. We want to hold ourselves to the highest standards, and SERA helps make that possible. Ultimately, this is about giving Australia’s rainforests their best chance not only to survive, but to thrive for generations to come.
Kelvin restoring degraded land in the Daintree.
Any final thoughts on what this means for supporters of the Trust?
Our supporters can be confident that every dollar they contribute is being guided by rigorous science and best-practice restoration standards. Joining SERA reinforces our commitment to doing restoration properly, ethically, transparently, and with long-term ecological outcomes in mind. It’s an exciting step forward for us, and one that will strengthen our work.
Every property we protect and every hectare we restore, is backed by the people who make it possible. Support the work of Gondwana Rainforest Trust.