Restoration Dialogues
Photo: Viktar Malyshchyc
Restoring degraded ecosystems has become a critical global goal, with international commitments under Target 2 of the Global Biodiversity Framework calling for 30% of all degraded landscapes and seascapes to be restored by 2030.
To support this global effort, the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) and the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP) will be convening a series of ‘Restoration Dialogues’. Events in the series will draw on the interdisciplinary expertise both within and beyond CCI, bringing together leading experts, practitioners, funders, policymakers, and ELSP grantees to explore pressing issues in restoration.
Across the topics of hidden carbon emissions from woodland restoration, human rights and restoration, wellbeing, the role of the arts, and geospatial technologies, these dialogues aim to break down barriers at the frontier of restoration and catalyse effective, inclusive restoration at scale.
Restoration, the Arts and Resilience, 27-28 November 2025
Hosted by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, this dialogue will explore the role of the arts in supporting long-term restoration. Since 2016, 29 artists have taken part in 20 residencies within CCI and ELSP projects. The dialogue will reflect on these collaborations and consider how artistic perspectives can deepen cultural relevance, shape engagement, and influence how restoration is practised. Participants will explore how to assess the impact of arts–science partnerships and how artists can support the resilience of individuals, communities, and institutions.
Exploring Rights-Based Approaches, 4-5 December 2025
Led by Fauna & Flora, this dialogue explores how rights-based approaches can influence the design and delivery of restoration. While the Global Biodiversity Framework recognises the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation, it does not explicitly include rights within Target 2 on restoration. This gap raises concerns that rights could be overlooked in implementation. The dialogue will bring together diverse perspectives from law, ecology, philosophy, and practice to examine how respecting both human rights and the rights of nature can improve restoration outcomes, support social equity, and encourage more inclusive approaches.
Restoration and Human Wellbeing, January 2026
This dialogue, led by BirdLife International and Trillion Trees, will explore how restoration can better recognise and support human wellbeing for local and indigenous communities. Nature-based solutions are widely promoted for their environmental benefits, but their social outcomes are often under-measured. The dialogue will explore the importance of including wellbeing indicators in project monitoring, such as mental and physical health, social cohesion, and community resilience. Doing so can shift restoration from a focus on ecological metrics alone to a more people-centred approach, fostering stronger and more equitable partnerships among communities, governments, NGOs, and businesses.
Geospatial Foundation Models, January 2026
Led by the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences, this dialogue will assess the practical value of geospatial foundation models for restoration. These AI models are trained on vast volumes of satellite imagery, reorganising and condensing the information to make it much easier and quicker to map habitats and detect environmental change. The dialogue will bring together researchers and practitioners to evaluate how these models can support restoration planning and monitoring, particularly in mapping land-use change, tracking carbon and biodiversity, and improving decision-making. It will also consider whether these emerging technologies are accessible and useful for projects working at different scales and in varied landscapes.
Rethinking the Carbon Footprint of Woodland Recovery, 10-11 February 2026
This dialogue, led by the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge, will examine the carbon impacts of woodland restoration. While reforestation is widely seen as a climate solution, projects may carry hidden emissions from fencing, planting, land preparation, and management. This dialogue will examine how to account for these impacts and improve carbon integrity, drawing on science, finance, and policy perspectives. It will contribute to guidance for restoration projects aiming to deliver meaningful climate benefits, and explore how to avoid misalignment between restoration goals and real-world outcomes.