California Society for Ecological Restoration March 2026 |
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Restoration rarely makes headlines. It does, however, keep a tight calendar.
We are temporarily closing registration March 7-12 to make sure all our partners and presenters have registered. Poster abstracts are due March 13. Early Bird registration will resume March 13 through 5pm on March 23. Our four fieldtrips filled up quickly so we are adding a fifth fieldtrip and will announce it early next week! Those already on waiting lists will have priority.
Across the state, the pace is just as steady. In the Sierra Nevada, land is returning to Indigenous stewardship at historic scale. Across California, employers are hiring and practitioners are stepping forward.
We look forward to seeing you in Fortuna.
With Love Julie and Onolunose ❤️ |
In this newsletter, you will find: SERCAL 2026 in Fortuna - Keynote Announced, Early Bird Closing Soon. Practitioner Spotlight - Dr. Earyn McGee Restoration in Focus - Land Back and Landscape Stewardship in the Sierra Nevada Restoration Jobs on SERCAL's Job Board From the Pages of Ecesis The Community Supporting SERCAL
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SERCAL 2026 in Fortuna — Keynote Announced, Early Bird Closing Soon.
We’re thrilled to announce the first of our keynote speakers — Margo Robbins from Cultural Fire Management Council — learn more about her work here.
Early Bird registration is taking a brief hiatus March 7–12, reopening March 13 and then closing 5pm on March 23, after which regular registration fees will apply.
Secure your registration before the Early Bird deadline.
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…The tshirt design is awesome, right? Plus your choice or long or short sleeves! And if you won't be able to join us in Fortuna, don't worry — you'll be able to pre-order your T through April 3!
FIELDTRIPS | Are full! But we are adding one more that you are going to LOVE. First dibs will go to people who are already on a waiting list. Later this month we'll put up some extracurricular activities for you to check out if you are not able to join a fieldtrip… for instance, have you ever dreamed about walking through a canopy of Redwoods? Yes! It's a thing!
STIPENDS AND WAIVERS | The Stipend/Waiver application process (predominantly but not exclusively for Next Gen attendees) will continue through the end of Early Bird Registration and awardees will be notified two weeks later. At the moment, we have plans to award waivers to 40 presenter and 30 volunteers. We're going to secure shared hotel rooms and the campground a short walk away. We'll have volunteer opportunities and VERY discounted registration rates for those we are not able to support with a waiver. That said, we will not stop looking for additional funding. We want you there!
LODGING and GETTING THERE | Here's the link to your lodging options! These rates will be available Sunday night (before the fieldtrips) through checkout on Thursday morning. There are four hotels that are within easy walking distance (no more than 0.2 miles!) from the conference center, plus the Bear River Casino Resort is just a 5-minute drive away. We are also reserving campsites at the Riverwalk RV Park. As in previous years, we will create a google form for rideshares a little closer to the conference, say, March-ish.
Lastly… Every year, we work to improve from hard-won lessons. We're doing our best to hold fast to the deadlines we are setting in order to create a smoother experience for YOU. And with your assistance in sticking with our timeline, we'll be able to create a seamless process that we can carry with us to University of Redlands (2027) and Sacramento (2028). We can't wait to see you!
Remember to watch your inbox for the latest! |
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Practitioner Spotlight: Dr. Earyn McGee
Dr. Earyn McGee, herpetologist and keynote speaker at SERCAL’s 2023 conference in Davis, is known for her field-based research and commitment to expanding participation in science. Her work spans wildlife ecology, climate impacts on species distribution, and science communication connecting rigorous field research with community engagement and mentorship. Whether conducting desert fieldwork or building platforms that increase representation in STEM, Dr. McGee models a form of practice that integrates technical expertise with leadership. For restoration professionals, her career reflects an evolving understanding of what strong field science looks like: collaborative, inclusive, and grounded in both ecological knowledge and community context.
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Restoration in Focus - Land Back and Landscape Stewardship in the Sierra Nevada
The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California has completed the purchase of 10,274 acres of ancestral land northeast of Lake Tahoe formerly Loyalton Ranch, now the WélmeltiɁ Preserve marking the largest tribal land return in the Sierra Nevada and the third largest in California. Held by the Waší·šiw Land Trust, the preserve will support cultural revitalization and long-term ecological stewardship across forests, meadows, and critical wildlife habitat, integrating Indigenous knowledge with contemporary conservation science. Supported by regional conservation partners and state agencies, the acquisition reflects a growing recognition within California’s restoration community that durable ecological outcomes are closely tied to stewardship authority, governance, and sustained land care. |
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Restoration Jobs - March Deadlines
Several excellent restoration opportunities are closing soon. A few highlights: Sierra Restoration & Monitoring Field Technician
Bishop | Trout Unlimited
Deadline: March 10
Restoration Field Ecologist
Arcata | Yurok Tribe
Deadline: March 11 Environmental Restoration Team Lead Member
Cedarville | American Conservation Experience
Deadline: March 14
Restoration Intern — Living Arroyos Program
Livermore | Alameda County RCD
Deadline: March 15
Fire, Fuels, and Forestry Programm Assistant
Forks of Salmon or Sawyer Bar | Salmon River Restoration Council
Deadline: March 17
Explore all current openings here |
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From the Pages of Ecesis!
What does climate resilience look like at the neighborhood scale? In Yes in Our Backyards!, Dr. Juliet Lamont shares how a failing concrete creek channel in Berkeley was redesigned into a functioning riparian corridor, stabilizing banks, reducing flood risk, and rebuilding native biodiversity within a dense urban setting. . The project demonstrates how careful grading, native riparian planting, and nature-based design can restore ecological function while improving community safety and long-term resilience.
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TOGETHER we are STRONGER and so are the amazing habitats we are committed to restoring!
Hey! We've got a new membership app and it's going to bring a new shine to your SERCAL membership. Have you joined or renewed for 2026 yet? Thanks to EVERYONE who has not only renewed but has contributed to the funds we've set up to make it possible for Next Gen and under-funded colleagues to attend the conference.
THIS IS WHAT COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE! |
As always, for their continued and generous support: The Victor and Susan Schaff Foundation: $5,000
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Valley Oak $2,500 Sponsors |
Arroyo Willow $1,000 Sponsors
Torchbearer $500 Sponsors |
Sustaining Business Members $275
Sustaining Individual Members $125 Marcia Basalla + F. Thomas Biglione + Scott Dreher + Richard B Lewis + Jennifer Long + Cassie Pinnell + Vivian Sedgwick + Linda Spahr + Emily Zefferman
and the countless others who have generously rounded up to support the Next Generation and our under-funded colleagues. |
Our Community of Partner Organizations are The Best California Native Grasslands Association (CNGA) often leads the popular Grasslands session at our conferences. Our organizations also offer a joint membership discount as well as discounted registrations to each other's events.
California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) is another essential partner in restoring our native California landscapes. We offer discounts to each other's annual gatherings.
California Ecological Restoration Business Association (CalERBA) is a 501c6 organization that represents a growing sector of state businesses that specialize in delivery of high impact environmental outcomes.
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving as a strong advocate, technical resource, and partner to the state's 96 RCDs so that they can be Relevant, Excellent, and Visible “go-to” hubs for conservation in their communities.
Ecological Workforce Initiative is working to meet the workforce needs of the growing ecological restoration industry by training workers for living-wage careers that support both the economic vitality of our communities and the health of our environment.
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Copyright © 2026. California Society for Ecological Restoration. All rights reserved.
Our email address is: info@sercal.org 515 N Desert Stra
Tucson, 85711
USA
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