Book Description Review Quotes Contents Resources
Book Description

Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land was the first practical guidebook to give restorationists and would-be restorationists with little or no scientific background the "how to" information and knowledge they need to plan and implement ecological restoration activities. The book sets forth a step-by-step process for developing, implementing, monitoring, and refining on-the-ground restoration projects that is applicable to a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems.

This companion workbook describes more fully the planning tools and techniques outlined in the book and offers a wealth of specific resources, including worksheets and spreadsheets to help you determine what equipment and plant materials you need, create project schedules, monitor results, and estimate costs. Online versions of the forms are available, making it even easier for you to incorporate them into your own projects. In addition, the authors and their network of professional advisers are offering free consulting sessions of up to one hour to purchasers of the book, giving you expert knowledge and experience that can help make your project a success.

Both books make the process of restoration accessible to everyone, from professional land managers to volunteer stewards. The tools offered will help you collect and process the information you need to make good decisions about your projects and are an invaluable resource for anyone thinking about or working on a hands-on restoration project.

Review Quotes

"I highly recommend this unique workbook to anyone working to restore ecological health to their land. With this workbook in hand, you hold two steady, experienced guides who will be with you through every step of transforming your land. The authors give clear step-by-step directions, share pitfalls to avoid, and provide worksheets for everything from getting to know your land to budgeting and monitoring. Don't miss the fabulous online resources that accompany this volume at www.restoringourland.com."
Lisa Brush, Executive Director, The Stewardship Network

"Rebuilding an ecosystem is complex. Where do you even begin? Apfelbaum and Haney provide you with a practical and proven guide. From unraveling past history and ecology to planning and implementation, this book—using real-world examples—covers all the essentials for making your vision of restored land health a reality."
Scott Nielsen, University of Alberta

Contents

Preface
Introduction
 
Step 1. Inventory and Map Your Land
-Task 1. Create a Basemap Task
-Task 2. Characterize Land Use or Cover Types
-Task 3. Refine Ecological Units
-Task 4. Map Current Conditions of Ecological Units
-Task 5. Review Soil Type Distribution and Assess Seedbanks
-Task 6. Map Drainage
-Task 7. Map Locations of Significant Populations of Invasive Species
-Task 8. Assess and Map Stressors
 
Step 2. Investigate Historic Conditions
-Task 9. Complete Historic Conditions Data Form
-Task 10. Map Soils and Surface Geology
-Task 11. Understand How Your Land Has Changed
 
Step 3. Interpret Landscape Changes
-Task 12. Develop Working Hypotheses
-Task 13. Map Ecotones and Gradients
 
Step 4. Develop Goals and Objectives
-Task 14. Develop Restoration Goals and Objectives
-Task 15. Review and Firm up Framing Infrastructure
-Task 16. Develop a Project Governance Plan
-Task 17. Prepare a Preliminary Budget
-Task 18. Refine Goals and Objectives
 
Step 5. Develop Your Restoration Plan
-Task 19. Design the Outline (Content) of Your Plan
 
Step 6. Develop a Good Monitoring Program
-Task 20. Develop Your Monitoring Program
 
Step 7. Implement the Plan
-Task 21. Develop a Task List and Schedule
-Task 22. Develop Project Phasing Plans
-Task 23. Develop Detailed Specifications
-Task 24. Determine Restoration Methods and Equipment Needs
-Task 25. Procure Plants, Seeds, and Materials
-Task 26. Complete Final Budget
-Task 27. Develop Long-term Maintenance Budget and Endowment
 
Step 8. Maintain Good Records
-Task 28. Decide What Will Be Recorded
-Task 29.Develop a Record-keeping Strategy
 
Step 9. Review the Project
-Task 30. Schedule Semiannual and Annual Reviews
-Task 31. Refine the Restoration Program as Suggested by the Review
 
Step 10. Share the Restoration Process
-Task 32. Develop a Plan for Sharing Your Experiences
 
Appendix 1: Data Forms
Appendix 2: Equipment, Safety, and Protection for Restoration Planning
Appendix 3: Restoration Contracts
Appendix 4: Additional Resources for Readers
SER booklist

Educator Resources

Take a look at the course materials available for this book and the companion book below or download the document here. To request these materials, created by the authors, click here.